K'taka: Auto-drivers stage demonstration against ban on services by ride-hailing platforms
Bengaluru, Oct 10: Auto-rickshaw drivers here staged a demonstration outside a regional transport office (RTO) on Monday against the ban on their services that was imposed by ride-hailing platforms - Ola, Uber and Rapido.
The Karnataka Transport Department issued a notice on Thursday asking the aggregators to immediately stop operating "illegal auto-rickshaw services."
It said the drivers were fleecing the public and were given three days' time to furnish any details they have to continue operating their auto-rickshaws.
According to officials of the department, the aggregators failed to provide any details and did not make any plea.
The department on Monday launched its drive against the aggregator-linked auto-rickshaw services. They penalised a few drivers associated with the ride-hailing companies.
At the demonstration, a large number of drivers parked their vehicles and raised slogans.
Meanwhile, the aggregators continued to show auto-rickshaw services on their mobile applications. They declined to comment on the government notice.
The Transport Department officials, too, remained tight-lipped on why these companies were showing auto-rickshaw services on their applications and not paying heed to the government order.
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Waqf Bill voting: BJD leaves it to conscience of RS MPs, no party whip
Bhubaneswar, Apr 3 (PTI): A day after announcing that the Biju Janata Dal would oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, the party on Thursday said it has not issued any whip to its MPs about voting on the matter in Rajya Sabha.
The MPs will vote according to their conscience, BJD national spokesperson Sasmit Patra said.
The BJD has seven members in the Rajya Sabha, while no member in the Lok Sabha.
"The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024," Patra said in a post on X.
"Our Party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our Hon’ble Members in the Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting. There is no Party Whip," the post read.
Patra on Wednesday said that the BJD was opposed to some of the provisions in the Waqf Bill, 2024, as its suggestion for changes in the original draft was not accepted.
The Lok Sabha early Thursday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, after over a 12-hour debate, which saw the ruling NDA defending the legislation as beneficial for minorities, while the opposition described it as "anti-Muslim".
The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the opposition members were rejected by voice votes. It was passed after a division of votes -- 288 in favour and 232 against.
The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Our Party,…
— ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra (@sasmitpatra) April 3, 2025
