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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Porsche car crash case exposed systemic corruption: Pune police commissioner
Pune (PTI): The Porsche car crash case exposed "systemic corruption," but the Pune Police have successfully uncovered the nexus behind the replacement of the accused juvenile's blood samples with those of his mother, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said on Wednesday.
The case made national headlines after the high-end car allegedly driven by the 17-year-old boy in an inebriated state mowed down motorcycle-borne IT professionals Anish Awadhiya and Ashwini Costa in the Kalyani Nagar area on May 19 last year.
"Last year’s Porsche car crash case sparked widespread discussions about Pune’s deteriorating social culture, alleged police corruption, and several other issues. Amid all the criticism, one positive aspect stood out: the case exposed systemic corruption.
"It also demonstrated how the police, working within the same system, managed to uncover the entire nexus behind the replacement of the juvenile’s blood samples with those of his mother," Kumar said while addressing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, an initiative aimed at raising awareness against drug addiction, organised at Modern College.
He added that the juvenile has been released since he was a minor.
"However, his mother has remained in jail for over a year, and his father continues to be behind bars. Doctors from Sassoon Hospital and others involved are also still in jail," Kumar said, adding that one mistake by a child, and an attempt by his parents to cover it up, destroyed an entire family.
He said the police will follow up on this case until every guilty person is punished.
Kumar also appealed to students to stay away from intoxicating substances and drugs.
"You are not only endangering your own life but also putting your entire family at risk," he said, urging the youth not to fall prey to harmful addictions.
"Instead, stand strong and act as a force to ensure that drug abuse is curbed in your surroundings. We assure you of full police support," he added.
He further stated that if youth from all colleges unite and decide to end this menace, "the day is not far when not even one gram of drug will be sold in the city".
The investigation into the car crash had revealed that the juvenile's blood samples were replaced with those of his mother.
The roles of Dr Ajay Taware, head of the forensic department, Medical Officer Shreehari Halnor, and a hospital staffer came under scrutiny.
While the mother is currently out on bail, the juvenile’s father, Sassoon Hospital doctors Taware and Halnor, staffer Atul Ghatkamble, two middlemen, Ashpak Makandar and Amar Gaikwad, and others remain in jail for the alleged blood sample swap.
