Akhila Karnataka Federation of Petroleum Traders (AKFPT) has called for the closure of petrol pump stations all over the country on December 24 if the commission on petrol and high speed diesel is not revised immediately.
As a mark of protest, petrol dealers have decided to switch off all lights in the drive-way and pumping stations on Sunday and Monday. B R Ravindranath, president AKFPT said the Apoorva Chandra Committee recommended revision of commission from `1.70 to `2.30 per litre, which has not been implemented yet and is overdue by 14 months.
Truckers Call for Indefinite Strike
The Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners Association has called for an indefinite strike from Saturday. Around 5,000-6,000 lorries in Karnataka will go on strike as the Committee has demanded that only one department should be given the permit to charge fines and allocate sand mining locations. The protestors prefer the Mines and Geology Department and not other departments like PWD as specified in the new amendment in the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules. Because of the new amendment, lorry drivers are being made to pay hefty fines.
Women Protection Month
The Being Women Society of Bharat has called for a women protection month from December 20 to January 20. The group has highlighted cases of sexual abuse in universities like that of a student who was subjected to sexual abuse by her Geology professor Shiva Basavaiah, initially protected by the Vice-Chancellor, but later suspended when the victim approached the court.
The Committee will be submitting a memorandum to Governor H R Bharadwaj and to CM Siddaramaiah to investigate cases of sexual harassment committed by professors. The group has decided to establish free legal aid centres across Karnataka, to provide free legal services to needy women.