This story is from June 13, 2019

Unions call for state-wide transport strike on June 18

Unions call for state-wide transport strike on June 18
Picture used for representational purpose only
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Various trade unions associated with the transport sector have called a state-wide strike on June 18, in protest against the implementation of GPS in transport vehicles.
Autorickshaw and taxi drivers and bus and heavy vehicle operators will participate in the 24-hour strike by Motor Vyavasaya Samraksha Samithi, an umbrella organization of the unions, that will begin from June 17 midnight.

The protestors claim that they have to shell out more than Rs 15,000 for installing a GPS device, which includes a panic button, in their vehicles.
The MVD has already published details of the GPS equipment that can be brought from 23 approved companies on its website.
“Central MV Act says that transport vehicles built after January 1, 2019 should have GPS for the safety of passengers. Regarding the vehicles built before December 31, 2018, the state government can decide a deadline for the installation of GPS. When, no other state has announced the deadline, why is our state is a hurry and not giving us enough time,” said Lawrence Babu, chairman of Private Bus Operators’ Confederation and member of the Samithi.
“The state government had earlier announced the deadline as April 1, 2019. It was later extended to May due to the unavailability GPS devices here. The deadline was again extended to June 16, so we decided to stage protest on June 18. Before asking us to install GPS, the MVD and police should have a system installed at their offices to monitor the GPS devices,” added Lawrence.
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