From: Initiative India <initiativeindia@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Subject: [initiative-india] National Convention discusses Railway Policy: Demands de-monopolization
To:
Dadar (E), Mumbai-400 014 Ph. No-2415 0529
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National Convention discusses Railway Catering Policy
Demands inclusiveness of small caterers and de-monopolization
July 16, 2010, New Delhi : Akhil Bharatiya Railway Khan Pan Licensees Welfare Association today held a National convention at Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi, of the small Railway Caterer's and discussed the revisions and changes in the National Railway Catering Policy. The Convention was attended by more than 300 small caterers and vendors from nearly 50 stations of the Northern, North Western and Central Zones of Indian Railways under the leadership of noted social activist Medha Patkar of National Alliance of People's Movements. They welcomed and appreciated whole heartedly the Ministry of Railways decision to review and revise the catering policy and several consultations which they had with senior officials discussing various advantages and disadvantages of catering policy.
Abani Roy, MP, Rajya Sabha speaking at the convention said, "these caterers are the lifeline of the Indian Railways who provide wholesome food at affordable rates to the whole country which travels on Indian Railways. The corporatisation of these stall through tendering to big private chains will only lead to massive unemployment and devoid of any human relationship between the passengers and the vendors". Mohan Singh, MP, Rajya Sabha too extended his support for the demands of the associations and said that, "claims of Indian Railways that they have not increased the train fare for a long time needs to be examined carefully, since this cannot be done by exploiting the workers of the Indian Railways, be they small contractors, vendors, or other informal labourers."
Anil Shastri, Member, Congress Working Committee, extending the solidarity to the struggles of railway vendors for defending their livelihood said that he will take up the matter with the government and in his own party forums. Swami Agnivesh, noted social activist said, "IRCTC has been brought in from the backdoor to introduce corporatisation and agenda of privatisation. They should be restricted to the booking of tickets and some other matters alone and have no business in the catering which provides employment to millions who are small enterprenuers and earn an honest living."
The conference urged the Ministry of Railways to take note of the detailed resolution passed in the convention. Some highlights of the resolution are as follows :
Ø Stop Tender system in small static catering units on A, B, and C category of stations.
Ø No further evictions should be carried out of all existing licensees and all evicted units should be reinstalled.
Ø All existing license should be given renewals on the satisfactory performance of the contractor and payment of all dues, as per catering policy 2000.
Ø The license fee should be based on rational factors or 12% of the actual assessments of the sales turn over.
Ø Reservation percentage should be enhanced to 49.5% from 25% as done on the D, E, F Category stations.
Ø Tenders called out for miscellaneous stalls in certain zones should be cancelled or stayed as miscellaneous policy is at par with the catering policy.
Medha Patkar, noted social activist supported the demand and extended the support of the National Alliance of People's Movements. She said, "it is a question of livelihood of 60,000 people engaged in self reliant occupations. Their livelihood need to be protected by Indian railways - a public organisation, the biggest employer in the country. They can't be evicted from the stations and the national catering policy need to accommodate their demand. The big private companies need to be kept away from this sector." She called upon the assembled railway caterers to join hands with the struggles of different marginalised groups in the country today against displacement, violence and land acquisitions.
The Convention was also attended by noted Gandhians Banwari Lal Sharma (Azadi Bachao Andolan), Amarnath Bhai (Sarv Seva Sangh), B C Sharma (North Railway Workers Union) and other railways workers union. The conference was organized by Federation of various catering associations on Indian railways namely: The Indian Railway Caterer's Association, Akhil Bhartiya Khan Pan Licensee Association, South Central Caterer's Association, Central and Western Catering Association along with Miscellaneous / Curio Stall's Contractors etc.
For details Contact: Ravinder Gupta - 9013432010 Girish Sharma 9822544001; Madhuresh – 09818905316 and 0942407662
Ph: 022-24150529
E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
Delhi Contact : 09818905316
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Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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