Headlines
Trucks overloaded with minerals: TN activists attack police for no action

Chennai, April 22
Environmentalists and social activists in south Tamil Nadu are up in arms against the police for allegedly turning a blind eye towards trucks overloaded with minerals. The activists are upset that the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 1988 is not being implemented in the case of trucks overloaded with minerals, causing a loss to the state exchequer.
Sudhakaran Raja, an activist in Tenkasi district of south Tamil Nadu, told IANS, "The police seems to have turned their back on the trucks overloaded with minerals and going to neighbouring Kerala state. The trucks that are overloaded should be penalized and a minimum fine of Rs 20,000 should be collected and an additional Rs 2000 per extra tonne also levied as fine. However, the policemen are just penalizing them Rs 2000 as per the old clause in the Motor Vehicles Act."
The social activists said the police are implementing proper fines for drunken driving according to the amended Act. An amount of Rs 10,000 is levied as fine which is on the basis of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 1988.
An activist told IANS that 1000 trucks are plying to Kerala from Tenkasi district alone and most of them are overloaded with minerals. Instead of a minimum fine of Rs 20,000, the policemen are collecting only Rs 2000 as fine and that means a minimum loss of Rs 18000 per truck.
The activist said that the state government is losing a huge amount of money by way of fines and alleged corruption at the highest level in the police regarding transportation of minerals from the state.
Former MLA Raviarunan said that the police is biased towards mineral transporters and the state government is losing heavily by this. He said that he had already petitioned Chief Minister M.K. Stalin about this corruption.
However senior police officers told IANS that they are yet to receive any intimation from the state government to collect the fine according to the amended Motor Vehicles Act.
N. Raghavan of the environmental group, Sraddha told IANS, "There is corruption in the transport of minerals and also during loading, and political parties and police are hand in glove in this. The state is losing heavily but the police don't care. Our concern is that there is environmental violation in the transport of each truck and we are planning a series of public protests against this."

7 hours ago
'Just happened to be in the way of Hamas': US envoy joins Israeli president in calls for release of Nepali student hostage in Gaza

8 hours ago
'Friends don't behave like that': Russian diplomat Babushkin on US 'sanctions' against India

10 hours ago
Trump imposed 'sanctions on India' to end Russia-Ukraine war: White House

10 hours ago
USCIS to Consider Anti-Americanism in Immigrant Benefit Requests

10 hours ago
Nia Sharma treats Krystal D'souza with special coffee during Mumbai monsoon

10 hours ago
Lin Laishram wishes her forever ‘Netflix & Chill partner’ Randeep Hooda on birthday

11 hours ago
Anil wishes Vayu on b’day: From the moment you came into our lives, you’ve filled every heart with joy

11 hours ago
Tamil actors Raghava Lawrence, KPY Bala join hands to build restrooms for students in Government school

11 hours ago
Farah Khan is ‘eternally grateful’ to Tom Cruise for removing his shirt

11 hours ago
Pratik Gandhi: Our historical heritage is so powerful

11 hours ago
Soha Ali Khan shares research insights of her new podcast

11 hours ago
Big B says ‘never take never granted for granted’

11 hours ago
Ananya Panday: Fashion, fitness are part of my routine, but mental wellness is what ties it all together