Bangalore:  The Karnataka State Lorry Owners Association has decided to go on an indefinite stir from April 1 onwards in protest against the hike in insurance premium   and levying of excessive fee at toll gates.

Speaking to reporters, TR Shanmugappa, President of the Association, the insurance premium amount of goods vehicles has been increased all of a sudden by the Centre from Rs 11,700 to Rs 24,600. He alleged that the Centre despite receiving a tax amount of Rs 10,000 from lorry owners every year, was pursuing policies detrimental to the interests of lorry owners.

He said the goods lorry owners have been hit hard due to the indiscriminate collection of toll fee on the Bangalore-Chennai, Bangalore-Mumbai  National Highways and on the Devanahalli international airport road.

Shanmugappa demanded that the government should withdraw the government order to install speed controllers to commercial vehicles and also to abolish sales tax on the diesel.