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Updates on the Strike
September 19th, 2012
As the Govt. is in crisis after the pull out by 19 members of parliament of the Trinmool Congress in opposition to FDI in Multi Brand Retail, India is all set for a historical Bharat Bandh (all India strike) on 20th September. Our campaign allies including associations of street vendors, hawkers, independent shopkeepers, trade unions are all set for a complete bandh on 20th September to oppose FDI in retail.
All major markets would keep their shutters down throughout India. Markets in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh were closed on 18th Sept to oppose FDI in retail. Markets of both states will again remain closed on 20th September. As per reports of various trade and hawkers associations, there would be total bandh in other states as well including Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Tamilnadu.
In Delhi, more than 300 trade associations will actively participate in the strike. Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh, All Delhi Chemist Association, Delhi Hindustani Mercantile Association, Kirana Committee, Chemical Merchants Association, Delhi Grain Merchant Association, Khari Bawli Sarva Vyapar Mandal, Chandni Chowk Sarva Vyapar Mandal, Delhi Electrical Traders Association, Federation of Delhi Trade Association, Rang Rasayan Vyapar Sangh, New Lajpat Roy Market Traders Association, Paper Merchant Association, Delhi Wedding and Greeting Cards Merchants Association, Delhi File Vikreta Sangh, Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchant association, Delhi Steel Tools and Hardware Traders Association, Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders Association, Confederation of Sadar Bazaar Traders Association, Kamla Nagar Jawahar Nagar Traders Association, Naraina Iron and Steel Merchant welfare association, Karol Bagh Traders Federation, Ajmal Khan Vyapar Mandal, Delhi Scooter Traders Association, New Delhi Traders Association, General Machinery Merchants Association, Readymade Garments Association, Khan Market Traders Associations, Automotive parts merchants association, Tractor Parts Merchants Association, Peepal Mahadev Traders Association, Daal and Besan Millers Association, Lajpat Nagar Traders Association, Laxmi Nagar Traders Association, Association of Readymade garment dealers, Barna steel metal merchant association, Delhi canvas merchant association, Delhi Tyres Dealers Association, Delhi Building Material Merchant association, Delhi Vegetable Oil Traders Association, Rajdhani Oil Suppliers Association, Gaffar Market Vyapar Mandal, Karol Bagh Dwellers Association, Subhash Road Readymade Garment association, Kutub Road Traders Association, Surgical Traders Association, Sri Niwas puri Shopkeepers Association, Chandrawal Road Shopkeepers Association, Beeranpura Handloom Traders Association, Delhi Glass Bottles Traders Association, Ashok Vihar Traders Association, Shahadara Traders Association and many more have extended their support to the bandh.
Street Vendors and shopkeepers would organize protests and burn effigies of FDI in Retail in over hundred places through out Delhi. Leaders of various political parties are expected to join these protests. National Hawker Federation, Confederation of All India Traders, Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal etc. would organize protests at the Parliament as well.
Mamata Pulls Out
Trinmool Congress led by West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee pulls out from the Govt. opposing FDI in Retail. Her ministers would submit resignation to the Prime Minister on Friday.
We all have given a call for all India strike on Thursday. almost all political parties are supporting the shut down. Believe me everything in India would be on halt except essential services on Thursday. we would be holding protests as well.
Immediately Stop the Removal of the Suspension on FDI in Retail
New Delhi 14th Sept. 2012
PRESS STATEMENT
Immediately Stop the removal of the suspension on FDI in Retail
Leaders of mass organizations of street vendors, workers, small shopkeepers, small manufacturers, joined by civil society organizations, consumer activists, environmentalists strongly condemned the Govt. of India decision to remove the suspension on FDI in multi brand retail.
In a press statement issued here today, Mr. Shaktiman Ghosh, General Secretary, National Hawker Federation, said that the decision has nullified the Govt. approval to Street Vendors (protection of livelihood and regulating street vending) Bill 2012. He said that livelihood of hawkers cannot be protected merely by creating vending zones if corporations are allowed to out-compete them in streets. He demanded a complete ban all corporations selling fruits, vegetables, groceries, and daily use goods. He also demanded that no corporate store should be allowed within a 2 km radius of areas with a density of hawkers. He informed that National Hawker Federation would organize protests on Monday and Tuesday in all over India.
Dharmendra Kumar, Director, India FDI Watch said that the Govt. decision is a blow to parliamentary democracy and alleged that Govt. has backstabbed the nation after promising in the parliament to not to take the decision unless a consensus is reached. Mr. Kumar further alleged that India is kneeling down under pressure from US and European governments and their industry lobbyists as it still has no binding commitment on multi-brand retail services in multilateral, regional or bilateral agreements. He termed the cabinet decision for 51% in multi-brand retail as letting off wild bulls of giant retailers without checks and balances such as regulations on number, size, location and provision of an economic needs test for opening a store as is the case in many countries around the world.
Kishan bir choudhary, Chairman, Bhartiya Krishak Samaj (Indian Farmers Forum) stated that FDI in retail would lead to monopoly of agricultural market and farmers would be taken for a ride by corporations. FDI backed retailers would dictate terms to farmers under contract farming and would turn independent farming families as bonded labour.
Vijay Prakash Jain, General Secretary, Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (All India Federation of Traders and Manufacturers) termed the cabinet committee on political affairs decision as disaster for small traders and micro, small and medium industries.
Mr. Mohan Gurnani, President, Federation of Associations of Maharashtra said that our Govt. is refusing to learn from the experiences around the world and even failing to learn from its own experience of not being able to stop foreign cash and carry wholesalers from circumventing rules. He said that the infamous retail giant of the world Wal-Mart has entered from the back door using Bharti-Airtel as its fig leaf circumventing the wholesale cash & Carry permission. This is a gross transgression of the intention behind Wholesale Cash and Carry Permission. He accused that Bharti is only a thin cover for Wal-Mart’s profit making proclivities as it will only function as a fixed margin operator. The warning bells are dire for our small manufacturers, suppliers, shopkeepers and street vendors.”
Mr. Dineshwar Tiwary, a consumer activist said, “To justify themselves corporations are creating myths. They are creating the myth that they will sell cheap and fresh. But, consumers will have to pay for the high input of corporate retail such as real estate, air conditioning, educated salesmen and women, wasteful consumption of electricity and many more. In the long run, consumers will be the ultimate looser, as once corporate retail drive out their competitors and their monopoly is established they will buy low and sell at high price.
For further information pl contact:
Dharmendra Kumar at 9871179084 email: dkfordignity@yahoo.co.uk
The Socio Economic Impact of US based Remittances in Nezahualcoyotl
This article is based on data collected from live interviews conducted in Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico, between May and July 2012.
These are the findings of a research study made possible by a partnership between the organization ACORN International and the sponsor Clinton School of Public Service.
The author and researcher is a graduate candidate for the Master’s degree of Public Service at the Clinton School, and joined ACORN International for his International Public Service research Project.
This article contains passages from the author’s original report “The Socio-economic impact of US based remittances in Nezahualcoyotl”, and was compiled for publication at Social Policy Magazine.
Click here to read The Socio Economic Impact of US Based Remittances in Nezahualcoyotl.
Organizing Reports from ACORN Bangalore
Organizing Reports from ACORN Bangalore for May, June, and July 2012
MAY:
Weekly Meetings:
Regular meetings were held in Hebbal:.Yelahanka New town, Shivajinagar, Yeshwanthpur and In K.R. Puram:
We had a protest in front of Town Hall along with our member Associations which was organized by NCL.
One more meeting was held on the street vendors issue with the organizations and the logistics and other issues were discussed. Issac from Action aid, Selva from Jansahayog, Maithri from ALF, Vinay from Beedhi vyaparigala hakkothaya Okkoota, Swathi from Equations, Srinivas from AKRVO K.R.Puram , Nirmal from Yeashwanthpur traders association, Zamir from Shivajinagar street vendors association participated. It was also decided that Suresh from ACORN, Issac from Action aid, Vinay from Beedhi vyaparigala hakkothaya Okkoota will meet on 29th to finalize the draft of the study questionnaire.
And again we met on 29th and prepared the questionnaire for the study and it was circulated among the members for suggestions.
JUNE:
Weekly Meetings:
Hebbal, Yelahanka New town, Shivajinagar ,Yeshwanthpur,and In K.R. Puram
Diabetes screening camp was held in Muthyala nagara slum.
Meeting on street vendors issue was held at ALF office to discuss about the study in the issue and the financial participation.
Meeting on the homeless shelter, ACORN, ALF, Action aid IGSSS and other organizations attended. The meeting focused on the issues of allotting the shelters to the NGO’s and the process of the allotment adopted by the government of Karnataka.
Meeting on Road widening and the affected communities. ESG, Hasiru Usiru, and 12 other RWA’s and 2 more organizations participated. A network of the organizations was launched and named as Bangalore Transportation Projects Impacted Communities Network (BATPIC network). It was decided to hold a Press conference on 17th of July.
The registration of the Street vendors union was rejected on the grounds that the methodology adopted to identify the street vendors was not acceptable to the officials and was assured to get it right through a form issued by the Labour Department.
40 street vendors in Vijayanagar got their Identity cards issued by the Department of Labor through which they will be eligible for the various social security schemes from the government.
JULY:
Weekly Meetings:
Regular meetings were held at Hebbal, Yelahanka New town, Shivajinagar, Yeshwanthpur, K.R. Puram, Vijayanagar, Basavanagudi, and Malleshwaram.
A blood donation camp was conducted at KR Puram Market on 1st of July as a mark of protest. 850 vendors donated their blood. The blood donated was handed over to the Karnataka Health department and a letter to the BBMP commissioner and the Mayor was submitted stating the people at the market would give their blood rather giving up the market for construction of the commercial complex.
A press meet was held at the Bangalore Press club on the road widening and its affected communities under the banner BATPIC network. A joint statement was released to draw the attention of the government on the effect of the projects of the government and also to suggest some of the alternate solutions.
A protest march from K.R. Puram to the BBMP office was organized by ACORN demanding for 50 specific market spaces for vendors all over Bangalore, and to implement the Street vendors’ policy in Karnataka. Over 2500 vendors from different parts of Bangalore participated in the protest. The participation was from, Malleshwaram and Shivajinagar – Bangalore Centre, Hebbal, K.R. Puram and Yeshwanthpur – Bangalore North, Basavanagudi, Jayanagar, Banashankari – Bangalore South. There were other organizations also extending their support for the cause. And 25 organizations also sent their representative to be part of the march.
Follow up of the registration of the Union for the vendors.
In Hebbal verification by the government officials for issuing of ID card was over. Of the 150 vendors 148 vendors will be getting their ID cards by the end next month.
News from Italy
Carissima associata, carissimo associato
un messaggio per comunicarti, come anticipato dall’altra parte dell’estate, che da oggi siamo tornati a pieno regime e gli uffici sono riaperti, dopo una ‘semi-pausa’ estiva a regime solo parzialmente ridotto.
Ti auguriamo un proseguimento di buona estate se sei ancora in vacanza, un buon lavoro se come noi sei già tornato pienamente “in postazione”, e un augurio di trovare un’occupazione nel caso non ne avessi una e fosse questo il tuo desiderio.
da quest’oggi i nostri orari e contatti tornano quelli di sempre, e vi aspettiamo a braccia aperte nella nostre casa e in quelle di tutti voi.
fate una buona azione civica estiva e passate parola a qualcuno – a chiunque, anche incontrato in vacanza o comunque nella vita, per la fine dell’estate date casa & legalità a qualcuno. e mettetelo in contatto con noi .
Come gradita sorpresa per il rientro, avvenuto o venturo, dalle vacanze estive, vi anticipiamo nei prossimi tempi una lettera del Presidente che vi verrà inviata sempre tramite newsletter e che conterrà un vero e proprio regalo, che successivamente (nel mese di dicembre) vi verrà recapitato a casa, per tutti coloro che assistiamo e da cui mensilmente riceviamo una donazione per la tutela della loro casa.
Naturalmente – ed essendo noi non dovremmo neanche precisarlo – non c’è trucco ed è un regalo a tutti gli effetti, voi non pagherete un centesimo in alcun modo per riceverlo, e anzi, ricevendolo risparmierete e guadagnerete, come vedrete.. .
se avete facebook e nel caso non lo aveste ancora fatto, vi incoraggiamo a cliccare subito “Mi piace” alla nostra pagina, che resta lo strumento più agile e immediato per tenervi al corrente di tutte le nostre ultime novità e aggiornamenti. Cliccateci ora e naturalmente diffondeteci, anche sulla vostra bacheca!
p.s.
Se non avete ancora provveduto o siete momentaneamente “scoperti” per quanto riguarda le donazioni a noi accordate, vi invitiamo nei prossimi giorni decisamente a verificarle e/o – ove necessario – riattivarle per potere (oltre ad avere garanzia di una casa da noi tutelata per tutta la durata del contratto ed evitare che, anche a distanza di molti mesi, il sogno diventi improvvisamente incubo subendo azioni della proprietà e trovandosi scoperti dal nostro aiuto anche legale, che senza donazioni al momento di azioni dei padroni non abbiamo risorse per garantire) ricevere questo regalo, che ha a che fare, come leggerete nella lettera del Presidente, con ACORN Italy e la tranquillità della vostra contrattualità e della nostra assistenza anche per il futuro fino a quando vorrete essere in quella casa.
Sarete contenti della vostra scelta.
Non dite che non vi avevamo avvertito! 😉
ancora buon’estate da ACORN !
ACORN Italy
www.acornitaly.org
www.facebook.com/acornitaly
Skype: acornitaly
Piazza dell’Ateneo Salesiano, 77
00139 – Roma
English Translation
Associated dearest, dearest associated,
A message to let you know, as anticipated on the other side of the summer, that now we are back in full swing and the offices are reopened, after a ‘semi-break’ in summer regime only partially reduced.
We wish you a good continuation of the summer if you’re still on vacation, as we do a good job if you’re already returned fully “in position”, and a wish to find a job if I had not had one and that’s your desire.
From today on our schedules and contacts return to the same as always, and we are waiting with open arms in our home and those of all of you. Do a good civic deed this summer and spread the word to someone – anyone, even met on vacation or otherwise in life, for the end of summer house dates & legality someone. And place them contact with us.
As a welcome surprise to return, occurred or next, the summer holidays, we bring you the next time a letter from the President, who will be sent again via newsletter and will contain a real gift, which subsequently (in December) will be delivered at home for all those we serve and from which we receive a monthly donation for the protection of their home.
Of course – and since we should not even specify it – there are no tricks and is a gift to all intents and purposes, you will not pay a penny in any way for it, and indeed, received him save and earn, as you will see .. .
If you have facebook and in case you have not already done so, we encourage you to immediately click “Like” our page, which remains the most agile and immediate to keep you abreast of all our latest news and updates. Click that and of course diffondeteci hours, even on your wall!
P.S.
If you have not already done so or are temporarily “discovered” in respect of donations granted to us, we invite you to definitely verify them in the coming days and / or – if necessary – to be able to reactivate it (in addition to having a home warranty from us protected for the duration of the contract and to ensure that, even after many months, the dream suddenly becomes a nightmare undergoing shares of the property and being discovered by our legal help also, that without donations at the time of action of the owners do not have resources to ensure) receive this gift, which has to do, as you will read in the letter from the President, with ACORN Italy and tranquility of your bargaining and our assistance in the future as long as you want to be in that house.
You will be happy with your choice. Do not say we warned you! 😉
Still buon’estate from ACORN!
65th Anniversary of Independence Day in India
Homeless citizens hoisted the national flag for the 65th anniversary of Independence Day in India.
English