Bangalore: Owing to the allegation that the Karnataka Food and Civil Services Department (KFCSD) has not paid them for five months, the members of the Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association have threatened to stop the transportation of rice under the Anna Bhagya scheme.

According to the federation’s president GR Shanmugappa, the KFCSD is yet to pay those amounts upto 85 crore rupees. This is posing a tough time for the 10 to 15 thousand lorry drivers across the state who are involved in the transport of rice under this scheme, he said.

Blaming the depot managers and inspectors for the mess, he also criticized the decision of the government to impose a 10 year limit on the usage period of lorries. He then questioned the authenticity of them checking the lorries year on year and giving clearance certificates. “If the vehicles are given clearance certificates, means they are fit to continue running on the roads. Why then implement a limit of 10 years, if the vehicle is fit to run?” he questioned.

He stated that the federation is giving an ultimatum to the government to clear off all pending dues by August 31st, failing which they would stop transporting the Anna Bhagya rice.