[Reader-list] [Announcements] Invite for cycle rickshaw and handcart pullers rally 29 March 2010

[Mitoo Das]

Manushi Sangathan invites you to come and express solidarity with and 
make a personal statement of support for the cycle rickshaw, trolley 
rickshaw pliers and hand cart pullers at a first of its kind rally being 
organized on March 29, 2010 to celebrate and demand the speedy 
implementation of the historic Order of the Delhi High Court passed on 
10th February, 2010 striking down the existing exploitative cycle 
rickshaw policy as unconstitutional.

The event is being organized in collaboration with Kalyankari Cycle 
Theli Samiti and Haath Thela Mazdoor Union.

The rally will start at 11 a.m. on March 29 from Parade Ground, Red Fort 
and conclude at Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi at Rajghat. From there a 
delegation will go and present a Memorandum on behalf of cycle rickshaw 
and hand cart puller to the Chief Secretary Delhi Govt, Mr Rakesh Mehta 
and to MCD Commissioner, Mr Mehra.

Several eminent citizens have agreed to flag off and lead a procession 
of cycle rickshaws and hand pulled carts tied together in a single file 
to claim legitimate road space for non motorized vehicles. The single 
file of rickshaws will ensure that we do not cause any obstruction for 
regular traffic.

The above mentioned High Court Order was passed after lengthy hearings 
by a full constitutional Bench of the Delhi High Court in a petition 
filed by Manushi Sangathan in 2007. The bench comprised of three of the 
finest judges of India--Justice Ravindra Bhat, Justice S. Murlidhar and 
the recently retired Chief Justice AP Shah of the Delhi High Court —one 
of the most learned, fair minded and compassionate legal luminaries of 
India.

The High Court directed the Chief Secretary of Delhi Govt to constitute 
a special Task Force “to review all aspects pertaining to traffic flow, 
registration of vehicles, restrictions in respect of vehicular movement 
(of all classes of vehicles – heavy, light, private, non-motorized,) and 
make such recommendations, as would promote the objectives of ensuring 
equitable access to all kinds of vehicles, minimizing harmful impact on 
the environment, smoothening the flow of traffic, and at the same time 
accommodate the concerns of all interests.”

We are particularly happy that the High Court will be monitoring the 
workings of the Task Force on a monthly basis on the 2nd Wednesday of 
each month to ensure that the Task Force actually evolves a more a 
rational, non discriminatory policy to include cycle rickshaws and other 
Non Motorized Vehicles as an integral part of Delhi's transport system.

Our Demands

* As per the orders of Delhi High Court, the discriminatory and highly 
exploitative License Quota Raid Raj imposed on cycle rickshaw sector be 
dismantled and licenses be available on demand as for other motorized 
vehicles.
* The new cycle rickshaw policy proposed by Manushi and under 
consideration of the Expert Committee of the Municipal Corporation of 
Delhi should be approved and implemented speedily.
* Separate tracks for Non Motorized Vehicles be created as per the 
mandate of the Delhi Master Plan.
* Cycle Rickshaws, hand carts and other NMVs be treated as an integral 
part of Delhi’s transport system and their use encouraged, especially 
considering that they are eco friendly since they do not consume carbon 
fuels and do not cause air or noise pollution.

* Authorized cycle rickshaw stands should be provided all over the city 
so that pullers are not unduly harassed and beaten up by the Traffic 
Police on the absurd charge of causing obstruction and being 
“encroachers” on public land.

* End to arbitrary penalties, extortionist bribes, harassment of 
pullers, end to confiscation and destruction of cycle rickshaws and hand 
carts by the police and municipal authorities.The Task Force should 
expeditiously evolve and submit a non discriminatory, realistic traffic 
management regime with provisions for an empowered implementation 
authority for approval of the Hon’ble High Court.

Manushi’s fight for dismantling the License Quota Raid Raj for cycle 
rickshaws and hand cart pullers is part of a larger Bottom up Agenda of 
Economic Reforms. We hope you will not only join us for the Rally on 
March 29 at 11 a.m. but also do your bit to press upon city authorities 
to provide due recognition to and road space for non motorized eco 
friendly vehicles.

For more details of Manushi's 16 year long battle on behalf of cycle 
rickshaw pullers and the policy reforms recommended by Manushi, we 
invite you to visit our website www.manushi.in

We would appreciate a line confirming your participation. Look forward 
to your joining us on the 29th.

Sincerely,

Madhu Kishwar


Madhu Purnima Kishwar
Editor, Manushi Journal,
Founder, Manushi Sangathan
Tel: 011 23978851, 23916437.
Manushi website: www.manushi.in
Madhu Kishwar blog at www.madhukishwar.in



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