Karnataka Truckers' strike against fuel price hike, toll-related issues begins
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka based trucks that transport goods within and outside the state came to a screeching halt as a key lorry operators association launched its idefinite strike against fuel price hike and toll related issues, starting midnight between Monday and Tuesday.
Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FOKSLOAA) launched this strike condemning fuel price hike and alleged harassment they face at toll plazas. The association is an umbrella organisation of 129 truckers associations with six lakh members — drivers, agents and truck owners.
The trucks keep off the road as strike began.
The truckers' strike may affect the economic activities in the state severely, resulting in the increase in the prices of essential commodities.
Harish Sabharwal, president, All India Motor Transport Congress told PTI that the initial response shows that stir is successful. According to him, neither the trucks from any part of India would enter Karnataka, nor trucks from the state will go out.
Somasundaram Balan, Honorary General Secretary of FOKSLOAA, alleged that the state government has not yet responded to its requests to address its grievances, which compelled the truckers to go on strike.
The association gave a call for an indefinite strike demanding to solve critical and long-standing issues faced by the road transport sector in the state.
Steep hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel resulted in an increase in price by five rupees per litre over the last nine months, severely escalating operating costs for transporters, a letter sent by the association to its members read.
Persistent extortion and harassment at state toll plazas cause undue stress and financial burden, the association alleged.
Further, the non-abolition of border checkposts, which continue to function redundantly despite GST implementation and the proposed increase in fitness renewal fees for older vehicles, which would heavily impact small and medium operators, are also among the reasons cited.
The federation alleged that its stir is also against the unreasonable no-entry restrictions in Bengaluru, which hampers operational efficiency and timely delivery of goods, and the widespread harassment by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) and microfinance institutions, including unlawful vehicle seizures and mental harassment of vehicle owners.
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SC notice to Centre on PIL against Muslim personal law sections being 'discriminatory' against women
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Centre's response on a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, on the ground that those are allegedly discriminatory against women.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Panchol took note of the submissions made by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who appeared in the matter for petitioners Poulomi Pavini Shukla and the Nyaya Naari Foundation, and issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The plea says the current Shariat inheritance rules are "manifestly discriminatory" against women, often granting them only half or less of the share allocated to their male counterparts.
Bhushan said the 1937 Act violates Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.
He said matters of succession are civil in nature and do not constitute an "essential religious practice" protected under Article 25.
"Saying women will get half or even less than half compared to male counterparts is discriminatory," the lawyer said.
