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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Forum demands end to raids against street vendors
Mangaluru: The district convention of the Dakshina Kannada District Street Vendors Association (CITU), held here on Tuesday, resolved to demand the govt to address the comprehensive development of street vendors, oppose govt raids and oppression, and press for various demands. CITU district vice-president BM Bhat said that there are over five crore street vendors in the country, who are hardworking individuals and that their demands are just, making it essential to fight for their rights. He further advised building a strong movement through organisation and struggle to protect their right to livelihood. CITU district general secretary Sunil Kumar Bajal criticised the govt for failing to fully implement the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act. He also criticised the suspension of the PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) loan scheme, which affected the self-reliant lives of street vendors. Honorary president of the association, BK Imthiyaz, stressed the need for the govt to take measures to prevent atrocities against street vendors and called for a sincere fight to implement comprehensive laws for street vendors in all urban local bodies in the district. The convention resolved to demand a comprehensive survey of street vendors in all urban local bodies in the district and issue ID cards. Imthiyaz said that housing plots should be provided to street vendors who do not own land. Health cards should be distributed to ensure free medical benefits for street vendors and their families. The PM SVANidhi scheme should continue, and the loan limit should be increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. BPL cards should be distributed to all street vendors. A scholarship scheme should be implemented to support the education of street vendors' children. A grievance redressal committee chaired by a retired judge should be formed to curb harassment by municipal corporations and police. Vending zones should be developed with a focus on scientific and safe environments, friendly to both vendors and consumers. Separate food vending zones should be established at 10 locations in Mangaluru city, he urged. Association president Muzaffar Ahmed presided.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Labour unions in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi stage protests opposing Centre's labour policies
Responding to a call by the Joint Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU), trade unions in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi staged protests as part of a nationwide general strike against the Union government's labour policies and privatisation push. The unions demanded the withdrawal of four labour codes, halting the privatisation of public sector undertakings such as insurance, banking and railways and the rollback of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022. They demanded the regularisation of ASHAs, anganwadi and mid-day meal workers as government employees, the abolition of the contract system, the fixing of minimum wages at ₹36,000, the implementation of an eight-hour workday, a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, and curbing inflation. A procession was taken out from Ambedkar Circle to the Clock Tower in Mangaluru. Addressing the protesters at the Clock Tower, near Mini Vidhana Soudha, Sunil Kumar Bajal, general secretary, CITU, Dakshina Kannada, alleged that the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is protecting only the interests of corporate bodies. The Union government has neutralised the spirit and aspirations of labour laws, he alleged. The AITUC's Dakshina Kannada district general secretary, Seetharama Berinja, said that labourers should not be looked down upon. Labourers should be given social security and pension benefits, he said. Protests in Udupi A procession was taken out from the City Bus Stand in Udupi to the Head Post Office. A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister was submitted to the Superintendent of Posts. Speaking on the occasion, Balakrishna Shetty, CITU State vice-president, said that by pushing the four labour codes, the Union government is dismantling the existing protection for workers, including rights related to working hours, wages, social security, unionisation, collective bargaining and protest. Protests were held in Kundapur and Byndoor.
