Kochi: The Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation (KSPBOF) has threatened to got for yet another strike to protest against the “neglect” meted out to the private motor transport industry in the recent state budget. “We’ll include autorickshaw and taxi workers’ unions besides lorry and bus operators while planning the protests, including suspension of services,” said Lawrence Babu, general secretary, KSPBOF, while addressing a press meet here on Monday.
The steep hike in diesel and road tax along with the move to increase the insurance premium for autorickshaw, taxi and cargo vehicles by 32 to 50 per cent will deal a heavy blow to the industry and would leave the business unviable. Many would be forced to suspend services, he charged. The Federation has also demanded the insurance companies to desist from effecting a steep hike in insurance premium for vehicles from April 1.
