Bengaluru: The state’s public distribution system (PDS) came to a grinding halt on Tuesday as thousands of lorry owners and drivers across Karnataka launched an indefinite strike. The protest stems from the Karnataka government’s alleged delay in clearing pending transport bills amounting to ₹260 crore.
In Bengaluru’s Yeshwanthpur APMC yard, lorry operators parked their vehicles in front of warehouses and refused to carry out foodgrain and essential goods transport. Lorry owners have declared they will not resume operations until the dues are paid in full.
According to the Karnataka State Ration Vehicle Transport Union, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 lorries have suspended operations. The disruption threatens to impact the Annabhagya scheme and daily PDS supplies of rice and grocery items across the state.
Union president Shanmugappa said they had given a 15-day ultimatum to the government, which has since expired without any response. “The government owes us ₹260 crore for transporting ration goods. We are unable to pay our drivers or sustain operations. Despite repeated pleas, not a single paisa has been released,” he said.
Loading and unloading workers have also joined the strike, citing non-payment of wages for the past three months. “We are left with no choice but to stop work until payments are cleared,” said Thimmayya, a loading supervisor at the APMC.
The protest began from midnight (Monday) and has seen total participation from transporters servicing the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Contractors allege that even though they were promised payments, government delays have pushed them into financial distress, impacting thousands of families dependent on this supply chain.
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As warehouses remain blocked and lorries idle, the strike is expected to severely disrupt the distribution of ration to fair price shops across Karnataka.
