Shakti Scheme leading to crowded buses, says Karnataka Congress MLA R V Deshpande
Dandeli (Uttara Kannada): Senior Congress MLA from Haliyal, R V Deshpande, said that government buses in the state are witnessing heavy crowds due to the Shakti Scheme, which allows women to travel free of cost on government buses. He said that most of the seats are occupied by women passengers.
Speaking at a public event in Dandeli on Saturday, Deshpande remarked that these crowded buses leave no seats for men. His comments follow the increased use of public transport after the implementation of the state government’s free bus travel scheme for women.
During the same event, Deshpande also referred to the resumption of the Dandeli–Alnavar train service. He attributed it to the efforts of Union Minister V Somanna and acknowledged the role played in restarting the rail link. The route connects parts of Uttara Kannada district with the broader rail network.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
