Excise duty on garments, autos facing hike in CNG prices and lack of separate welfare board for domestic workers are some of the problems that are driving a series of bandhs in Ahmedabad.
Excise duty on garments, autos facing hike in CNG prices and lack of separate welfare board for domestic workers are some of the problems that are driving a series of bandhs in Ahmedabad.
Garment producers’ hartal today
The garment manufacturers across the country will be on strike today protesting against the levying of 10% excise duty on finished garments by finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee on Monday. The call for the absolute bandh has been given by the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI).
Along with CMAI, even The Gujarat Garment Manufacturers Association (GGMA) will go on strike in Gujarat. More than 8,000 manufacturers and more than five lakh direct and indirect employees of garment producers will go on strike for one day on Friday.
GGMA has also organised a rally on Friday in Ahmedabad. "We are expecting more than 10,000 to participate in the rally. At present, we are just calling bandh or strike for one day. If we do not get any response, we may go for indefinite strike later," said president of GGMA, Vijay Purohit.
In Mumbai, on the said day, every accomplice of the apparel including suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers will close down business to express agitation against this unfair taxation. In addition, as many as 5000 people shall gather at Azaad Madian to raise a voice against this norm and address the finance minister.
Apart from GGMA, many garments producing association across country will participate in it. The entire garment sector has been visibly shaken by the levy of the excise duty.
Autos to go off road this Monday
Demanding a solution to increasing CNG prices, all auto-rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad will go on a one-day strike on Monday. This was decided in a meeting held by the Ahmedabad Auto Rickshaw Drivers Federation (AARDF) on Wednesday.
Drivers are unhappy about the rise in gas prices for the past few months.
The CNG prices first increased by Rs0.65 per kg on February 16, that was followed by another hike of Rs0.55 per kg on March 1, taking the current CNG prices to Rs36.65 per kg.
"The continuous increase is taking a toll on our business and thus we want a solution to the increasing prices. We want to be briefed about the reason behind the increasing prices and also when a decision to hike prices is taken," said J M Sardar, trade union adviser, AARDF.
Asking for a lasting solution about CNG price rise from the regulatory authority and the government, Sardar said, "We do not want an increase in the fare as it affects our business and want a lasting solution. If it is not met, we will decide on further action after observing the one-day strike."
Meanwhile, it is seen that of the 55 CNG stations in the city, almost 48 are owned by Adani - thereby letting the company enjoy a near monopoly, sources said.
Also, the price of CNG at Adani station is higher than that available at other stations like HP, GSPC and others. The current price of CNG at Adani is Rs36.65 per kg as compared to that of Rs36.05 at HP outlets.
Ramas threaten strike next month
Get ready to slog it out at home. For, the Ramas (a term used for domestic help particularly those from Rajasthan), who are a typical feature of several households in city are all set to go on strike.
No, they aren't demanding a wage hike from you they just want the government to look into their problems.
Ashok Punjabi, chairman of the Domestic Help and Construction Workers Union of Gujarat said that almost three lakh domestic help, aka Ramas, working in the city may go on strike if their demand for separate welfare board is not met.
The union organised a meeting at the DK Patel Hall, Naranpura on Wednesday and asked the government to look into the issue of these workers, who migrate from Rajasthan in search of livelihood.
According to the chairman, just because the workers are outsiders they do not get the deserved benefits and facilities from the government.
"We want group insurance scheme, better homes for them and an end to the constant police harassment" said Punjabi. The mass gathering was attended by almost 4,000 Ramas of the city. During the meeting, Punjabi gave one month's time to the government to resolve the issues.
"If our demands are not met within this period, almost 3 lakh such workers will go on strike" said Punjabi, who is a practicing advocate as well.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}