State Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao on Friday warned striking truckers that action would be initiated against them if they failed to obey the order of the High Court.
Rao told mediapersons that the truckers had to obey the court order making speed governors compulsory for trucks.
Asked whether the provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act would be invoked against the agitating truckers, he said the government would consider the idea.
Transport Commissioner M Lakshminarayana, meanwhile, said his appeal to truckers to call off their stir at 10 pm on Friday went unheeded. “It is beyond our control to do anything as the HC has disposed of the case.”
The police have assured us that adequate security would be provided to ensure that Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses and other essential services ply without problems.
The State government will take steps to ensure smooth transport of essential goods in view of the truckers strike starting from midnight on Friday.
Speaking to reporters after a State Executive Committee meeting here on Friday, P K H Tharakan, advisor to the Governor, said that steps will be taken to ensure smooth movement of essential commodities and provide protection to vehicles, if necessary.
Meanwhile, a State level task force meeting will be convened daily by 4:30 pm at the Transport Commissioner’s office which will have representatives from police, oil companies, Railways, Food Corporation of India, Karnataka Milk Federation and Food and Civil Supplies Department to take stock of the developments.