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Apex court to hear on Friday PIL against truckers’ strike

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday posted to Friday hearing on a public interest litigation petition that highlighted the hardships faced by the common man due to the truckers’ strike.

Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, heading a three-judge Bench, told petitioner Sunder Khatri: “The government has taken steps to resolve the strike. The strike has been called off in Maharashtra. Some talks are going on.”

Justice Sathasivam told counsel: “We are not undermining the issues in your petition. The Transport Ministry has summoned leaders of the transport associations to discuss the issue. The government is also contemplating some action. Let us wait and watch the outcome of the negotiations between the government and truckers.”

The Bench included Justice R.M. Lodha.

Mr. Khatri said immediate action was needed against the striking transporters as common man was the worst sufferer owing to reduced supply of essential commodities. He sought a direction to declare the strike as “illegal” and cancel the permit of the striking transporters.

He said people had started feeling the brunt of the strike by members of the All-India Motor Transport Congress. Supply of essentials was disrupted. The initial impact of the strike was that it became an excuse for traders to jack up prices and the average householder felt the pinch. This was bad news for the economy, which was reeling under the economic slowdown.

Mr. Khatri wanted the government to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act and the National Security Act against the striking truck operators and cancel their permits.

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