Mysore/Mysuru: “Amidst hike in the prices of spare parts and fuel, paying Mamool to Hamaalis has become like rubbing salt on the wounds of truck owners. The transportation of goods in Mysuru will be stopped from Sept.1 and stage a protest against it,” said District Truckers Association President Srinivas. 

Addressing a press meet at Patrakartara Bhavan yesterday, he said, “Owners of lorries, trucks and drivers, transport goods on rental basis. During loading and unloading of goods, Hamaalis demand Mamool (money) and forcibly take thousands of rupees from buyers and truck drivers.  Considering the fact that truck owners were already reeling under the burden of rising fuel prices, taxes, prices of spare parts, hike in insurance premium and such other factors, the truck owners have decided to stop paying loading and unloading hamaalis. The association has come to this decision of not transporting goods in city.” 

Srinivas further said that truck and lorry owners were facing severe financial crisis due to loss of business and exponentially rising operational costs and added that the practice of paying Mamool was not right. Hence it has been decided not to pay Mamool to the Hamaalis, besides stating that with great pain, truck owners have decided to stop transportation of goods from Sept. 1, which was inevitable. Association office-bearers Vishwanath and Sadashiva were present.