More than 2,000 petrol pumps run dry; chaos at fuel stations in Punjab, Chandigarh, Himachal as people do panic-buying following Truckers’ strike against hit-and-run law.
While state-owned oil firms had topped up tanks at most petrol pumps across the country in anticipation of the truckers’ strike, some petrol pumps in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab ran out of stock due to heavy rush, industry officials said.
The meeting is held to discuss their concerns related to the new provisions of hit-and-run cases under the newly-passed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The meeting is being chaired by Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla at North Block.
Truck, Taxi and Bus operators have started a three day strike yesterday to oppose the provision of 7 lakh rupees penalty and 10-year jail term for hit-and-run cases. The All India Motor Transport Congress has said that these provisions can lead to undue harassment and must be recalled.
Meanwhile sources in the Home Ministry said that the duration of sentences in hit-and-run cases has been increased to 10 years because of the observations made by the Supreme Court. The Apex Court has stated in multiple cases that strict action should be taken against those drivers who recklessly drive vehicles, cause accidents resulting in someone’s death, and then flee the scene.
The strike has created supply issues and rationing of the fuel is being done at certain places to ensure the availability of fuel for all during this period of temporary disruption of fuel supply.
