story in decan herald on 18.12.11

story in decan herald on 18.12.11

Parking space shrinks as City roads burst at seams
Sandeep Moudgal

Manoeuvring through the narrow bylanes of Gandhinagar, Karthik N S, software engineer, looks for a parking space. After an ardous search, he finally manages to get a space just enough to squeeze his small car in a corner. And the luxury comes at price of Rs 20.

The experience of Karthik is no different from that of anyone who uses a four-wheeler on the busy and congested roads of Bangalore. The vehicular population in the City has gone up by 10.84 per cent in a decade (2000-2009), according to the statistics available.

However, there has been no corresponding expansion of the parking space and the civic agencies have failed miserably in this regard. And vehicle users continue to suffer, often paying a hefty price.

“The measures taken by the civic agencies have only aggravated the situation. The efforts to de-congest the streets have had no bearing on the parking spaces,” Karthik lamented.
Unauthorised parking zones have only added to the woes.

“A man just gives you a slip demanding parking fee, claiming himself to be a contractor, but without any identification. Vehicle users have no other alternative but to pay up, so that they can park their vehicles,” Karthik said.

On MG Road, parking space for a two-wheeler costs not less than Rs five. The amount, however, has been determined at will, without any basis. With parking space being a luxury on the busy road, vehicle users just pay up without any question. The desperation on the part of vehicle users is more pronounced in Malleswaram. People are ready to pay up a fine of Rs 100 to park their four-wheelers in a no parking zone. Eateries, which have mushroomed in a primarily residential locality, have led to the mess. “It is better to pay Rs 100 and ensure that the car is within our eyesight than park it in an unknown location,” contends Vasant, with a tinge of sarcasm.

N K Shankar, a resident of Malleswaram, blamed the regional transport authority for its failure to exercise control on burgeoning vehicular population. Traffic and Transit Management Centres (TTMCs) set up across the City with huge parking spaces too have been of little help in easing the situation. Little thought has gone into the location of TTMCs.

Business affected

The parking space conundrum has cast its adverse effects on the business in Chickpet. Lack of space to park their vehicles has deterred people from shopping at Chickpet, a commercial area with narrow lanes.

“I used to have customers since eight in the morning, till about five years ago. With the parking problem worsening day by day, few people now turn out at my shop,” said Manak Chand Lunkad, proprietor of an a electrical appliances shop. Lunkad traced the malady to tempos and lorries which make their way to the shops to deliver goods. While it really is a nuisance, traders cannot do without supplies. Talks with traffic police to ensure a semblance of order have not yielded any fruit, Lankad said.

Some ingenious traders have managed to spare themselves of the ordeal by shifting their shops to B V K Iyengar Road where parking has been banned. Lunkad opines that the State government or the local civic body should provide them with a separate space, perhaps even a couple of kilometers away, for parking the heavy vehicles to bring the goods to Chickpet.

According to Sajjan Raj Mehta, member of the State Taxes Committee of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the traders have mooted a proposal to ease the traffic congestion by asking the authorities to ensure that all four-wheelers are parked in the designated parking bays, despite them being a few kilometers away. “We can then have a prepaid autorickshaw stand in Chickpet for commuters to travel to and from Chickpet for their shopping,” he says.

Mehta suggests that parking slots for four-wheelers could be located at their Maharaja parking complex near Abhinay theatre or at Alankar Plaza whereas two-wheelers can be allowed to be parked near Bandi Mutt near Chickpet. He hoped that there could be some solution once the Chickpet metro station becomes operational.

FDI IN RETAIL-- FINALLY THE GOVERNMENT RELENTS......

The logjam in Parliament over the Union Cabinet’s decision to allow 51 per cent foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail ended this morning after an all-party meeting. The government agreed to suspend the move till a consensus is reached on the issue. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the decision, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that the consensus would be reached through consultations. “Decision on FDI in retail has been suspended till consensus is reached through consultations with stakeholders," he said. The stakeholders include political parties and states, he said. The opposition parties including some ruling party allies had strongly raised voices against the Cabinet decision to allow FDI in Indian retail, by demanding a complete roll-back of the policy. But as of now, government has decided to put it on hold, since their efforts to reach out to the opposing parties failed to reach a conclusive end on the matter.

It may be noted that the government had decided on November 25 to allow 51 per cent foreign ownership of multi-brand retail stores and 100 per cent in single brand outlets..THE TRADE ASSOCIATION'S PROTEST TO IT WAS ALSO MAXIMUM AND FINALLY THE GOVERNMENT ALSO RELENTS..

THANKS TO THE MEDIA/TRADE ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE WHOLE HEARTED SUPPORT..
--
Sajjan Raj Mehta
EX PRESIDENT..KARNATAKA HOSIERY AND GARMENT ASSN
09845501150

news in dna on fdi in retail on 2.12.11.

Bandh to protest against FDI in retail costs Bangalore Rs90 crore
Published: Friday, Dec 2, 2011, 12:11 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA


More than 200 traders from different parts of the city participated in the dharna on Thursday at the FKCCI office, protesting against the central government’s move to allow 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail sector.

JR Bangera, president, FKCCI, estimated that the state exchequer lost more than Rs90 crore as tax revenue because of traders’ strike on Thursday.At least 70% of this loss is from the Bangalore Urban & Rural districts alone, he added.

On the sidelines of the protest, he said the government should stop making illogical statements regarding the benefits of FDI in the retail sector. “Neither will the FDI bring in the 1.5 million jobs, nor reduce inflation. Our economy is not ready for FDI,” Bangera said. “Our retail markets are picking up. We are growing at a healthy rate. What is the need to bring in FDI?” he said.

Citing China as an example, Bangera said, “Before China allowed FDI in retail, they built roads, improved infrastructure, made sure that their small-scale industries were healthy, growing and well recognised. Power generation was excellent and was available at a low cost. In our country, the situation is the exact opposite,” he said.

“Here, we have people who are trying hard to make a living to get one square meal a day. FDI will displace millions of small-scale workers. What is the point in giving employment to a few hundred people when thousands are going to be affected by this?” he asked. “Many state governments have not even agreed to allow FDI in their respective states.”

Prakash Mandoth, founder president of the Jayanagar Trade Association, said, “If the government really wants to improve the retail sector, they should bring financial schemes to help the sector. Our resources are not being used efficiently. What we need is to develop our industries and not bring people from outside.”

Sajjan Raj Mehta, former president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, said, “This is a matter of our survival and this explains the enthusiastic response of the traders with regard to the bandh. Traders have responded to the bandh call by shutting shops willingly. About 20% of the Indian people directly or indirectly depend on traditional business for their livelihood.”

‘Will intensify agitation’
Mehta said there are plans to intensify the bandh in the coming days. “After Thursday’s day-long token agitation, the trading community plans to intensify the agitation as it is a matter of our survival,” he added.

Praveen Khandelwal, secretary, Confederation of All-India Traders, said the fact that so many willingly participated in the bandh showed the genuine concern of the people. “FDI in retail is a crucial issue. But the government’s decision is not substantiated with any logic,” he said, adding that the trade union is also planning to demand the formation of a joint task force, consisting of senior officials and stakeholders to suggest remedial measures.

KASSIA supports bandh
Even though the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association did not participate in the bandh, they have expressed their displeasure towards the government’s move to allow FDI for retail sector. “We were not part of the bandh, but we know that in the long run, this move will adversely affect the small industries as well,” said Prakash Raikar, president, KASSIA.

इतिहास को दोहराने जा रहे है। इस तरह के कदम कदापि राष्ट्रहित में नहीं हो सकते। आज सरकार की खुले बाजार की नीति ने भारतीय बाजार पर जो प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डाला है उसका नजारा साफ – साफ दिखाई यहां दे रहा है। जहां विश्वसनीय नहीं होते हुए भी चीन में निर्मित सामानों ने भारतीय बाजारों को बूरी तरीके से प्रभावित किया है। आज इसकी चमक धमक के बीच भारतीय आम उपभोक्ता इसकी ओर खींचा चला जा रहा है। दिवाली के अवसर पर यहां हर घरों में लगने वाली चमचमाती लड़िया अधिकांशतः चीन निर्मित देखी जा सकती है। बाजारों में घरेलू अधिकांशतः उपकरण, खिलौने, मोबाइल आदि चीन निर्मित पाये जा रहे है। जो सस्ते एवं आकर्षक रूप लिये हर उपभेक्ता को अपनी ओर खींच रहे है। जिसका भारतीय उद्योग पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव पड़ा है।

बाजार एवं उपभोक्ता की अपनी एक अलग संस्कृति होती है। बाजार में जो सामान सस्ता एवं लुभावना होगा, आम उपभोक्ता उसकी ओर स्वतः ही खीचा चला आयेगा। सामान टिकाउ है या नहीं इसका वह मूल्यांकंन कम करता है। इसी कारण जो सामान सस्ता व दिखने में मनमोहक होता है उसकी बिक्री बाजार में ज्यादा होती है। इस रहस्य को चीन के लोग अच्छी तरह से भांप गये है। आज बाजार में भारत निर्मित सामानों की अपेक्षा चीन निर्मित सामान काफी कमजोर एवं कम टिकाउ है फिर भी बाजार में चीनी सामानों की आज बिक्री सबसे ज्यादा है। इसका कारण साफ है कि बाजार में कमजोर होते हुए भी चीनी सामान सस्ता होने के कारण बेहतर एवं टिकाउ भारतीय सामानों को पीछे छोड़ दिये है। खुले बाजार की संस्कृति के तहत पूंजीवादी व्यवस्था में पनपे मॉल ने भारतीय बाजार एवं उद्योग पर जो प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डाला है उसे नजरअंदाज नहीं किया जा सकता। आज हमारी अर्थ व्यवस्था बिगड़गी जा रही है जिसे सरकारी तौर पर विकास के नाम आधुनिकता के आंचल से ढ़कने का भरपूर प्रयास जारी है, पर बढ़ती जा रही महंगाई इस खोखलेपन को उभार रही है। आज हमारा देश पूंजीवादी व्यवस्था की ओर तेजी से भाग रहा है, जिससे देश में बेरोजगारी, महंगाई, पनपती जा रही है ओर हमारी सरकार विकास के तराने गुनगुना रही है। इस तरह के हालात निश्चित तौर पर राष्ट्रीय विकास में बाधक बन रहे है। जिसे हम समझकर भी अनजान बनने की कोशिश कर रहे है।

पूंजीवादी व्यवस्था के तहत पनपी आर्थिक उदारीकरण नीति तले पनपे बाजार एवं आयातित माल ने भारतीय उद्योग पर पहले से ही इस तरह प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डाला है, जिससे यहां के सारे उद्योग ध्रधे, बाजार चौपट होने लगे है। जब रिटेल में विदेशी निवेश का समावेश होने लगेगा तो देश के छोटे मझोले देकानदार सीधे तौर पर लूट जायेंगे। फिर देश में बेराजगारी की दिशा में एक और नई कड़ी जुड़ जायेगी। इस तरह के हालात को देखते हुए रिटेल में शत प्रतिशत विदेशी निवेश की कैबिनेट मंजूरी भारतीय बाजार एवं बाजार पर टिके लोगों को किस मोड़ पर खडा करेगी , विचारणीय मुद्दा है।

--
Sajjan Raj Mehta

REQUEST TO POSTPONE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF E SUGAM TILL GST

TO,
THE HON'BLE CHIEF MINISTER,

GOV'T OF KARNATAKA,

VIDHAN SABHA,

BANGALORE

SUB..REQUEST TO POSTPONE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF E SUGAM
TILL GST

RESPECTED SIR,

Wish you a very Happy New Year IN ADVANCE from the members of Karnataka
Hosiery and Garments Association. Under your dynamic leadership, let our state
prosper further and further. We would like to get to your kind notice that E SUGAM
IS BEING MADE COMPULSORY FOR ALL TRADERS w.e.f 01/12/2011 which
will effect trade and businessmen in a significant manner.

Vat implementation in our state is quite smooth and traders have come to terms
with it. We traders are sincerely contributing to the exchequer as it is
our duty to work hand in hand with the Government..Everybody works
for the Government either in the pay roll or the tax roll..Esugam is being
implemented in view of cross-checking the transaction but what we have to
state is that already computerised check posts, monthly returns, vigilence
departments, intelligence departments are well equipped to handle genuinity
of transactions. In the readymade garment trade, it is an un-organised sector,
hence majority of traders are not having computers, internet connection
and skilled manpower and frequent power cuts will also cause a great
inconvenience.These days labour shortage is huge and traders financially are
not sound to maintain extra staff or they have to pay the auditor extra sums
monthly. which will be an extra financial burden. Reamdymade garment sector
this year is already facing huge crisis due to Excise and heavy increase in raw
material prices and due to which our margin have taken a huge beating and it
is getting difficult to make ends meet.

Any system should be easygoing. In many departments viz. incometax or excise , they
are liberising rules and return submission are paperless and easy..Our govt. should

also make things simpler, easiear and rules should be trader friendly...The Govt
should answer why it is being introduced, what are the merits/de-merits, what are the
benefits for the business community etc. Simply introducing one rule or other does not
make sense..The govt is voted by the people and all new rules should have the support
and favour of the public..Many states having vat regime have avoided ESUGAM
YET but our state is forcing traders to adopt it..Any universal law will be welcomed
with less hardship to the traders & we traders need your support.

Referring to the notification relating to information to be provided by the
consignee on the goods received from out of the State, it is impossible for
the consignee to get all the information in time and accurately from the
consignor before the dispatch of goods. The consignor who stays in some
other State may not take serious interest in providing all the information in
time, accurately and completely. Under the notification, it is the consignee
who will be held responsible for wrong or inaccurate information and is liable
to be penalised...

SIR..THE SMALL & MEDIUM TRADER IS COMING TO REALIZE THAT
EDUCATION IS TO BUSINESS WHAT FERTILIZER IS TO FARMING BUT
SUDDENLY IN SHORT TIME WE ARE UNABLE TO SWITCH OVER..

We request your goodself to kindly take note of the above points & oblige us by
safeguarding us from this ESUGAM..We assure you of our best services..Gratitude to
the Government should be as regular as our heart beat and we are thankful to you Sir
for the continuous patronage extended to us..

Thanking You,

Yours Faithfully

Sajjan Raj Mehta
CHAIRMAN.TAXATION COMMITTEE

KARNATAKA HOSIERY & GARMENT ASSOCIATION

9845501150

hike in petrol prices

This is the height of insensitivity! by increasing the fuel prices the govt. has imposed additional burden on the middle class. may be our vote doesnot count!! God save this country from MANMOHAN MANIA...It looks like the Government is not satisfied with yesterday's food inflation index of over 12% which is actually figures based on wholesale prices! When they point to the losses of the Oil companies after burdening the poor man, they conveniently ignore the 40% odd tax component. Well without such high collections, how can they syphon our money through scams?


Jai Hind


Thanks a lot..

कन्नड़ राज्योत्सव का भव्य आयोजन

कर्नाटका होजरी एवं गारमेंट association की ओर से आज मामुल्पेट में कन्नड़ राज्योत्सव के उपलक्ष्य में कई कार्यक्रम आयोजित किये गए उसमे स्कूली छात्रों को सहायता,विधवाओ तथा जरुरत मंद नारीओ को साडी का वितरण तथा अन्नदान का भी आयोजन रखा गया.मुख्य अतिथि श्री विधायक दिनेश गुन्दुरव ने खागा के सत्कार्यो की प्रशंसा की तथा शीघ्र ही ४ करोड़ के निर्माण कार्य चिकपेट में करने की विधिवत घोषणा की.श्री गुन्दुरव ने उपस्थित सेकड़ों व्यापारियो को भरोसा दिलाया की वे सदेव बन्गलोर के विकास हेतु तत्पर रहेंगे...नगर पार्षद श्री शिवकुमार ने भी मामुल्पेट में सुन्दर जल निकासी के कार्यो को शुरू करने का भरोसा दिया..स्वागत भाषण अध्यक्ष श्री वसंत जैन ने पढ़ा.उन्होंने बताया की इस आयोजन से हमारे ओर यहाँ के कन्नड़ निवासिओ के सम्बन्ध ओर मधुर होते है तथा परस्पर स्नेह में अभिव्रधि होती है.. .मुख्य अतिथियो का स्वागत उपाध्यक्ष श्री दिलीप जैन,मंत्री श्री राजेश जैन,सह मंत्री श्री अशोक वर्धन तथा श्री अमर सिंह ओर कोषाध्यक्ष श्री सुभाष भंसाली ने किया.पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री पहाड़ सिंह राजपुरोहित ने धन्यवाद ज्ञापित किया..मंत्री राजेश जैन ने खागा के कार्य कलापों की जानकारी दी तथा कार्यक्रम का संचालन भूतपूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री सज्जन राज मेहता ने किया.

जय कर्णाटक..जय हिंद..
सधन्यवाद...