Transport stir likely to hit Kerala

Transport services in Kerala are likley to be hit tomorrow following a 24-hour motor vehicle strike by various trade unions to protest the hike in third party insurance which will begin at midnight tonight.
Private bus operators, autorickshaws, taxis, truck operators have extended support to the stir, protesting hike in insurance premium, frequent increase in petrol price and increase in vehicle registration fees, among others,
According to leaders of United Trade Unions, the Centre has hiked the insurance premium of vehicles by 50 per cent.
Except BMS, all other major mainstream trade unions have extended support to the strike.
Malappuram district has been exempted from the strike in view of the campaigning going on for the Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll slated for April 12.