Thieves chop off man's hand, docs attach it again
TNN, Apr 27, 2010, 03.13am IST
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Tags:Bangalore|surgery
BANGALORE: In a bizarre attack, strangers chopped off Bharath B Jain's left hand at the wrist on Sunday night when he was talking on his cellphone in Mamoolpet area in City Market police limits.
Bharath, a native of Rajasthan, stays with his cousin Lalith Kumar M Jain in Mamoolpet and works in his jewellery shop. Around 9 pm, when Bharath was talking on the phone in front of his house on Ganjamath Lane, two men suddenly attacked him with knives and fled.
Kunda Ram, another worker at the shop, raised an alarm and Bharath was taken to St Martha's Hospital. Around midnight, he was shifted to St John's Hospital where doctors on Monday performed a major surgery to reattach the hand. Hospital authorities said his condition was stable. "The next ten days are critical as the arteries could stop functioning at any point of time. At the moment, the hand is fine,'' they said.
While police are clueless about the attack, it triggered anger in the locality. Sajjan Raj Mehta, former president of Karnataka Hosiery and Garments Association, and several concerned citizens from the area met DCP West B Shivakumar. Mehta said it was an attempted robbery: "There has been chain snatching and mobile snatching in the area over the past month. This was probably one such incident," he said.
Lalith Jain said there was no other motive. "There are no streetlights in our area and it's not safe at all. There's no regular police patrolling which makes it easy for thugs to attack hapless people,'' he said.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Always on a Sunday..stori in times
Always on a Sunday
TNN, May 5, 2009, 12.04am IST
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Bangalore: For over thirty years, the Sunday Bazaar has been buzzing with buyers and sellers trying to strike a good deal. There's almost anything and everything available at unbelievable prices. It could be an antique piece of furniture, utensils, electronic goods -- name it and you can get it.
It's one of the most congested weekend street markets in the city, with devoted followers who turn up without fail. Every city has such a market, and it's a way of life for many despite the unorganized set-up. It's the huge demand that's kept it in circulation even into the new millennium.
Now, following a one-off incident, the threat of closure looms large over the bazaar. Should a stray crime case be the reason for ending a wonderful part of the city's heritage?
While the police cite problems with sale of smuggled goods that goes on unchecked here, a few traders also now feel the pinch of this unregulated market space. `There's nothing regular about it. If not close it, at least find a way to regulate it' is their argument.
According to Sajjan Raj Mehta, president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, the market has not affected much of the regular market in Chickpet as 90% of the wholesale market here is closed on Sundays. However, it's highly congested and unorganized, he says.
"It needn't be closed completely, but we should look at bringing about a few regulations -- the unchecked sale of arms & ammunitions, traffic congestion and taking the traders at the bazaar into confidence. We must look at tackling it. While a few roads like B V K Iyengar Road remain safe, others like A S Achar Street get completely blocked. We must look at a way out, like shifting it to vacant land nearby. Alongside, a few cops to check on the goods sold here would be good,'' Sajjan told TOI.
"It has to be closed,'' insists Labh Chand Mehta, who has been seeing it happen right in front of his shop for many years. "I cannot even imagine entering my office for any work on Sundays. Why should we have a market selling smuggled and stolen goods when there are shops almost everywhere paying tax and selling genuine goods?'' he asks.
Down memory lane
It's been a bustling market in the old business district, selling almost anything and everything for almost three decades now -- scrap to spares, electronics, plumbing material, plastics and even clothes, to name a few.
The market begins sharp 8 am every Sunday and goes on till 6, maybe 7 pm. It's believed to have begun more than 30 years ago with a few traders trying to hawk old stuff in one of Sultanpet's little bylanes. Slowly, it spread to other streets and outwards and now encompasses Sultanpet, Cottonpet, Chickpet, A S Achar Street, Akkipet, Avenue Road, Old Taragupet, Gundopanth Street and parts of B V K Iyengar Road. But the most crowded place is the road leading down from Chickpet police station and bylanes running off it. But, with 90% of the wholesale market in Chickpet closed on Sundays, it hasn't affected the regular traders there much.
BBMPSPEAK
This is clearly a law & order issue. However, in general, the laws are very clear against selling anything on the roads and footpaths. But such street markets crop up in areas with a floating population and continue to flourish due to the demand. We had been asked to find alternative locations for `legal hawking zones' but finding space has been the main issue for us to regulate the street markets.
Govindraju, joint commissioner (markets), BBMP
POLICESPEAK
The city police say there's no concrete decision to ban Sunday bazaar. Additional commissioner of police (law & order) M R Pujar said there was some `wild thinking' on banning it. "It's a place where anyone can sell anything and there is no regulation. But, we have not decided on anything,'' he added.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com
TNN, May 5, 2009, 12.04am IST
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Bangalore: For over thirty years, the Sunday Bazaar has been buzzing with buyers and sellers trying to strike a good deal. There's almost anything and everything available at unbelievable prices. It could be an antique piece of furniture, utensils, electronic goods -- name it and you can get it.
It's one of the most congested weekend street markets in the city, with devoted followers who turn up without fail. Every city has such a market, and it's a way of life for many despite the unorganized set-up. It's the huge demand that's kept it in circulation even into the new millennium.
Now, following a one-off incident, the threat of closure looms large over the bazaar. Should a stray crime case be the reason for ending a wonderful part of the city's heritage?
While the police cite problems with sale of smuggled goods that goes on unchecked here, a few traders also now feel the pinch of this unregulated market space. `There's nothing regular about it. If not close it, at least find a way to regulate it' is their argument.
According to Sajjan Raj Mehta, president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, the market has not affected much of the regular market in Chickpet as 90% of the wholesale market here is closed on Sundays. However, it's highly congested and unorganized, he says.
"It needn't be closed completely, but we should look at bringing about a few regulations -- the unchecked sale of arms & ammunitions, traffic congestion and taking the traders at the bazaar into confidence. We must look at tackling it. While a few roads like B V K Iyengar Road remain safe, others like A S Achar Street get completely blocked. We must look at a way out, like shifting it to vacant land nearby. Alongside, a few cops to check on the goods sold here would be good,'' Sajjan told TOI.
"It has to be closed,'' insists Labh Chand Mehta, who has been seeing it happen right in front of his shop for many years. "I cannot even imagine entering my office for any work on Sundays. Why should we have a market selling smuggled and stolen goods when there are shops almost everywhere paying tax and selling genuine goods?'' he asks.
Down memory lane
It's been a bustling market in the old business district, selling almost anything and everything for almost three decades now -- scrap to spares, electronics, plumbing material, plastics and even clothes, to name a few.
The market begins sharp 8 am every Sunday and goes on till 6, maybe 7 pm. It's believed to have begun more than 30 years ago with a few traders trying to hawk old stuff in one of Sultanpet's little bylanes. Slowly, it spread to other streets and outwards and now encompasses Sultanpet, Cottonpet, Chickpet, A S Achar Street, Akkipet, Avenue Road, Old Taragupet, Gundopanth Street and parts of B V K Iyengar Road. But the most crowded place is the road leading down from Chickpet police station and bylanes running off it. But, with 90% of the wholesale market in Chickpet closed on Sundays, it hasn't affected the regular traders there much.
BBMPSPEAK
This is clearly a law & order issue. However, in general, the laws are very clear against selling anything on the roads and footpaths. But such street markets crop up in areas with a floating population and continue to flourish due to the demand. We had been asked to find alternative locations for `legal hawking zones' but finding space has been the main issue for us to regulate the street markets.
Govindraju, joint commissioner (markets), BBMP
POLICESPEAK
The city police say there's no concrete decision to ban Sunday bazaar. Additional commissioner of police (law & order) M R Pujar said there was some `wild thinking' on banning it. "It's a place where anyone can sell anything and there is no regulation. But, we have not decided on anything,'' he added.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com
CityClothes you can’t wear..STORY IN BANGALORE MIRROR
CityClothes you can’t wear
Garment factories produce thousands of shirts hoping netas would place orders for LS polls. But EC ban on garments with party symbols has upset their calculations
Suchith Kidiyoor
Posted On Friday, March 20, 2009 at 12:08:59 AM
Election Commission’s ban on shirts and T-shirts with party symbols and slogans for campaigning in the coming Lok Sabha polls has come as a blow to the garment industry in Bangalore.
The EC’s ban came into force in the assembly elections in Karnataka last year. The recession-hit garment factories have now decided to write to the EC requesting it to withdraw the ban in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association President Sajjan Raj Mehta says, “During elections many political parties and even independent candidates order shirts and T-shirts on which their party slogans and symbols are printed. Garments factories produced a large amount of plain shirts and T-shirts expecting huge orders. If plain shirts and T-shirts are ready it takes less time to print party slogans, symbols and photos of candidates on them.”
Cheap gifts
In the last Lok Sabha elections each candidate reportedly purchased between 15,000 and 20,000 shirts and T-shirts. These garments doubled as cheap mode of publicity as well as inexpensive gifts for middle class and lower income group voters.
Garment supplier Vikas says, “Due to recession many companies have stopped ordering shirts and T-shirts. We had great hope that political parties will give huge orders during elections but the decision of Election Commission has shattered all hopes.”
During elections garment factories in the city produce three qualities of shirts and T-shirts to suit the budgets of political parties. Low quality T-shirts cost Rs 35, average quality Rs 45 and high quality Rs 150-175. High quality T-shirts are used by a party’s executive members and volunteers when they go on door-to-door campaign.
Last-minute orders
“Last year, JD(S) ordered 8,000 T-shirts and BJP 15,000. Congress approached us to manufacture 10,000 T-shirts but we could not as we had enough orders. This year there are no signs of getting orders. We manufactured plain T-shirts thinking that we will get last-minute orders,” Vikas says.
“Distributing T-shirts is not as offensive as distributing liquor. These garments are used by party workers for campaigning. By banning T-shirts the Election Commission is forcing political parties to resort to steps like distributing liquor,” says a garment maker, who does not wish to be named.
Garment factories produce thousands of shirts hoping netas would place orders for LS polls. But EC ban on garments with party symbols has upset their calculations
Suchith Kidiyoor
Posted On Friday, March 20, 2009 at 12:08:59 AM
Election Commission’s ban on shirts and T-shirts with party symbols and slogans for campaigning in the coming Lok Sabha polls has come as a blow to the garment industry in Bangalore.
The EC’s ban came into force in the assembly elections in Karnataka last year. The recession-hit garment factories have now decided to write to the EC requesting it to withdraw the ban in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association President Sajjan Raj Mehta says, “During elections many political parties and even independent candidates order shirts and T-shirts on which their party slogans and symbols are printed. Garments factories produced a large amount of plain shirts and T-shirts expecting huge orders. If plain shirts and T-shirts are ready it takes less time to print party slogans, symbols and photos of candidates on them.”
Cheap gifts
In the last Lok Sabha elections each candidate reportedly purchased between 15,000 and 20,000 shirts and T-shirts. These garments doubled as cheap mode of publicity as well as inexpensive gifts for middle class and lower income group voters.
Garment supplier Vikas says, “Due to recession many companies have stopped ordering shirts and T-shirts. We had great hope that political parties will give huge orders during elections but the decision of Election Commission has shattered all hopes.”
During elections garment factories in the city produce three qualities of shirts and T-shirts to suit the budgets of political parties. Low quality T-shirts cost Rs 35, average quality Rs 45 and high quality Rs 150-175. High quality T-shirts are used by a party’s executive members and volunteers when they go on door-to-door campaign.
Last-minute orders
“Last year, JD(S) ordered 8,000 T-shirts and BJP 15,000. Congress approached us to manufacture 10,000 T-shirts but we could not as we had enough orders. This year there are no signs of getting orders. We manufactured plain T-shirts thinking that we will get last-minute orders,” Vikas says.
“Distributing T-shirts is not as offensive as distributing liquor. These garments are used by party workers for campaigning. By banning T-shirts the Election Commission is forcing political parties to resort to steps like distributing liquor,” says a garment maker, who does not wish to be named.
Garment workers battle recession..STORY IN TIMES OF INDIA
Garment workers battle recession
Meltdown Woes Are Here: Factories Shut Shop, Exporter’s Family Driven To Suicide Pact Many Out Of Jobs, May Result In Reverse Migration
Deepa Bhasthi | TNN
Bangalore: Recession and meltdown are alien terms to the thousands of women garment workers, who only understand there is some catalyst that could shatter the course of their fragile livelihood. The ‘globalized sector’ that employs them has been hit, with international customers cancelling or at least going easy on orders.
The big ones are seeing the fire at a distance, but small and medium factories are burning. Talk is rife about several factories closing and hundreds, maybe thousands, being out of job, but not many are willing to talk.
S Bhanuprakash, joint secretary, Peenya Industries Association, told The Times of India several small garment factories had shut shop due to recession and the severe slowdown in orders. There were reports of a major exporter closing down a few sections in the factory. Bhanuprakash said while it was not possible to plug a number to how many factories had closed, it was likely that small units had been affected.
Peenya Industrial Area alone has lakhs of women who walk to work early every morning, huddle over tiny tables all day long in cloistered, almost airless rooms, and face abuse at the hands of supervisors. The most talented earn about Rs 4,000 a month, a majority barely enough for dignified existence.
Impossible production targets and lack of benefits further marginalizes them. Crime rate is high but goes unreported. In several cases, the woman is the only breadwinner, tied down to employers’ mercy.
The number of women — who constitute the majority of garment workers — who have lost jobs or stand to lose, is in multiples of 30. “Every batch has 30 workers. So even if 10 batches of workers have lost their jobs, it affects 300 women and their families who, in several cases, depend on their salaries,” added Bhanuprakash.
Factory owners deny rumours
Rajan Hinduja, managing director, Gokuldas Exports, said he had not closed a single unit. “I have full orders till February and recession has not affected us. Maybe smaller units have been hit.”
Admitting there was a reduction of 20-25% in orders, Sajjan Raj Mehta, president of Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, however, said not a single factory was on the verge of closing. “The trading sector has been affected and clients are being extra-cautious, but full orders are coming in. The inner wear section is doing well too,” he added.
Salim, another manufacturer, said all factories had full orders for the current season, till January-February. The effect will be known only after that.
Reverse migration likely?
Cities are where big dreams are born, and often killed. Post the agrarian crisis in rural Karnataka, lakhs of families set up home on the fringes of the metro, hoping to eke out something more dignified than what their villages had in store. Recession and its ripple effect is driving them back.
Residents in neighbourhoods are no longer short of cooks, maids and helpers. Shabanaz, a homemaker in Peenya, said her domestic help was laid off work at a factory. Many are set to close by January-end, the maid says. Kalpana’s migrant family from Nanjangud is seriously considering going back to their fields. “At least we can try to cultivate our fields there than starve here,” she says grimly.
For many others, even going back is not an option. They are looking out for jobs as domestic help, cooks and others, which could mean a reduction in income. But when hunger speaks, and children are crying at home, these women cannot help but choose the trodden path.
GARMENT HUB
After collapse of sector in Surat and
Tirupur, garment industry moved
to Bangalore outskirts
910 registered factories employ
around 3.55 lakh workers, mostly
women
Workers mainly from migrant families from interior Karnataka
SUICIDE SCORE IN BANGALORE
2,004 cases and counting, in the past 10 months Depression, abuse, helplessness are some of the prime factors According to National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB), Bangalore’s population has risen by 19% in past decade, and suicide rate by 8% Last year, more than 1 lakh suicide cases were reported in India As most elders don’t have old-age plans, financial instability poses a big risk, becoming a potential suicide trigger and is high among elderly citizens NCRB suicide clock records 96 suicide cases per day by those aged 45 and above
GENDER WISE
2006: Male 1302; female 706 2007: Male 1575; female 855 2008*: Male 1327; female 677 (* till October 31)
2008 BREAK-UP AND HOW Hanging: Male 484; female 297 Poisoning: Male 217; female 83 Burning: Male 119; female 174 Drowning: Male 49; female 17 Others: Male 458; female 106 In 2007, 19.7% of those who ended life were homemakers
Meltdown Woes Are Here: Factories Shut Shop, Exporter’s Family Driven To Suicide Pact Many Out Of Jobs, May Result In Reverse Migration
Deepa Bhasthi | TNN
Bangalore: Recession and meltdown are alien terms to the thousands of women garment workers, who only understand there is some catalyst that could shatter the course of their fragile livelihood. The ‘globalized sector’ that employs them has been hit, with international customers cancelling or at least going easy on orders.
The big ones are seeing the fire at a distance, but small and medium factories are burning. Talk is rife about several factories closing and hundreds, maybe thousands, being out of job, but not many are willing to talk.
S Bhanuprakash, joint secretary, Peenya Industries Association, told The Times of India several small garment factories had shut shop due to recession and the severe slowdown in orders. There were reports of a major exporter closing down a few sections in the factory. Bhanuprakash said while it was not possible to plug a number to how many factories had closed, it was likely that small units had been affected.
Peenya Industrial Area alone has lakhs of women who walk to work early every morning, huddle over tiny tables all day long in cloistered, almost airless rooms, and face abuse at the hands of supervisors. The most talented earn about Rs 4,000 a month, a majority barely enough for dignified existence.
Impossible production targets and lack of benefits further marginalizes them. Crime rate is high but goes unreported. In several cases, the woman is the only breadwinner, tied down to employers’ mercy.
The number of women — who constitute the majority of garment workers — who have lost jobs or stand to lose, is in multiples of 30. “Every batch has 30 workers. So even if 10 batches of workers have lost their jobs, it affects 300 women and their families who, in several cases, depend on their salaries,” added Bhanuprakash.
Factory owners deny rumours
Rajan Hinduja, managing director, Gokuldas Exports, said he had not closed a single unit. “I have full orders till February and recession has not affected us. Maybe smaller units have been hit.”
Admitting there was a reduction of 20-25% in orders, Sajjan Raj Mehta, president of Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, however, said not a single factory was on the verge of closing. “The trading sector has been affected and clients are being extra-cautious, but full orders are coming in. The inner wear section is doing well too,” he added.
Salim, another manufacturer, said all factories had full orders for the current season, till January-February. The effect will be known only after that.
Reverse migration likely?
Cities are where big dreams are born, and often killed. Post the agrarian crisis in rural Karnataka, lakhs of families set up home on the fringes of the metro, hoping to eke out something more dignified than what their villages had in store. Recession and its ripple effect is driving them back.
Residents in neighbourhoods are no longer short of cooks, maids and helpers. Shabanaz, a homemaker in Peenya, said her domestic help was laid off work at a factory. Many are set to close by January-end, the maid says. Kalpana’s migrant family from Nanjangud is seriously considering going back to their fields. “At least we can try to cultivate our fields there than starve here,” she says grimly.
For many others, even going back is not an option. They are looking out for jobs as domestic help, cooks and others, which could mean a reduction in income. But when hunger speaks, and children are crying at home, these women cannot help but choose the trodden path.
GARMENT HUB
After collapse of sector in Surat and
Tirupur, garment industry moved
to Bangalore outskirts
910 registered factories employ
around 3.55 lakh workers, mostly
women
Workers mainly from migrant families from interior Karnataka
SUICIDE SCORE IN BANGALORE
2,004 cases and counting, in the past 10 months Depression, abuse, helplessness are some of the prime factors According to National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB), Bangalore’s population has risen by 19% in past decade, and suicide rate by 8% Last year, more than 1 lakh suicide cases were reported in India As most elders don’t have old-age plans, financial instability poses a big risk, becoming a potential suicide trigger and is high among elderly citizens NCRB suicide clock records 96 suicide cases per day by those aged 45 and above
GENDER WISE
2006: Male 1302; female 706 2007: Male 1575; female 855 2008*: Male 1327; female 677 (* till October 31)
2008 BREAK-UP AND HOW Hanging: Male 484; female 297 Poisoning: Male 217; female 83 Burning: Male 119; female 174 Drowning: Male 49; female 17 Others: Male 458; female 106 In 2007, 19.7% of those who ended life were homemakers
‘State set to climb to top slot in hosiery trade’..news in THE HINDE ON 6.3.2008
Karnataka - Bangalore
‘State set to climb to top slot in hosiery trade’
Special Correspondent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association portal launched
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANGALORE: The Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, headquartered here, is bracing up for launching the cluster development approach. This will bring Karnataka back into the prime position in the hosiery and garment trade, particularly when the industry in the State is showing signs of stabilisation in both cost effectiveness and expansion of market.
Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of a function to launch the portal of the association, President of the Association Sajjan Raj Mehta said here on Wednesday that after Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in the country, the trade environment was changing for the better. He said Karnataka still enjoyed prime position in the hosiery trade despite the migration of the trade to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With the cluster approach, the State would emerge as a leader in the trade, he said.
He said particularly after the recent rupee appreciation, the large-scale hosiery and garment exporters and wholesalers were turning to retail and local markets, which has become extremely competitive. This condition was in fact advantageous for the trade and to the larger sections of the industry. Mr. Mehta stated that it improved the quality of the garment, making it affordable to consumers.
Earlier, former minister and MLC H.K. Patil launched the portal .
The new portal is www.khagas.com
‘State set to climb to top slot in hosiery trade’
Special Correspondent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association portal launched
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANGALORE: The Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association, headquartered here, is bracing up for launching the cluster development approach. This will bring Karnataka back into the prime position in the hosiery and garment trade, particularly when the industry in the State is showing signs of stabilisation in both cost effectiveness and expansion of market.
Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of a function to launch the portal of the association, President of the Association Sajjan Raj Mehta said here on Wednesday that after Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in the country, the trade environment was changing for the better. He said Karnataka still enjoyed prime position in the hosiery trade despite the migration of the trade to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With the cluster approach, the State would emerge as a leader in the trade, he said.
He said particularly after the recent rupee appreciation, the large-scale hosiery and garment exporters and wholesalers were turning to retail and local markets, which has become extremely competitive. This condition was in fact advantageous for the trade and to the larger sections of the industry. Mr. Mehta stated that it improved the quality of the garment, making it affordable to consumers.
Earlier, former minister and MLC H.K. Patil launched the portal .
The new portal is www.khagas.com
StateRs 40-crore viagra for apparel clusters..news in bangalore mirror
StateRs 40-crore viagra for apparel clusters
The allocation could help small units survive and compete better
Posted On Friday, February 20, 2009 at 11:35:09 PM
With the government providing a budgetary boost to readymade apparel clusters in the state, the readymade sector is set to see more competition and correspondingly more choices for the end-buyer.
A total of Rs 40 crore has been sanctioned to provide basic facilities in each cluster. There are more than 1,500 garment
production centres in and around Bangalore, employing more than 5 lakh people.
According to garment industry sources, this would result in more employment and greater collective efficiency. “After agriculture, the garment industry absorbs the maximum number of people, especially women. So the funding is laudable,” said Sajjan Raj Mehta, president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association.
Centre happy
The ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) too is happy with the state government’s decision. “After the global meltdown, the cluster programme is crucial to the garment industry. I thank the government for supporting us. Apart from this, our own schemes will contribute to the growth of the industry,” said Gopinath Rao, Assistant Director, MSME, Government of India.
But all were not happy. “The government has said it will provide 20 per cent equity capital under the ‘Karnataka Suvarna Vastra Neethi’. But this is only for firms located outside Bangalore. It should be available to firms in and around Bangalore too,” said Pandu Ranga, committee member, Clothing Manufacturers Association India. BMB
The allocation could help small units survive and compete better
Posted On Friday, February 20, 2009 at 11:35:09 PM
With the government providing a budgetary boost to readymade apparel clusters in the state, the readymade sector is set to see more competition and correspondingly more choices for the end-buyer.
A total of Rs 40 crore has been sanctioned to provide basic facilities in each cluster. There are more than 1,500 garment
production centres in and around Bangalore, employing more than 5 lakh people.
According to garment industry sources, this would result in more employment and greater collective efficiency. “After agriculture, the garment industry absorbs the maximum number of people, especially women. So the funding is laudable,” said Sajjan Raj Mehta, president, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association.
Centre happy
The ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) too is happy with the state government’s decision. “After the global meltdown, the cluster programme is crucial to the garment industry. I thank the government for supporting us. Apart from this, our own schemes will contribute to the growth of the industry,” said Gopinath Rao, Assistant Director, MSME, Government of India.
But all were not happy. “The government has said it will provide 20 per cent equity capital under the ‘Karnataka Suvarna Vastra Neethi’. But this is only for firms located outside Bangalore. It should be available to firms in and around Bangalore too,” said Pandu Ranga, committee member, Clothing Manufacturers Association India. BMB
Ministers feel citizen fury at meeting on property tax
ELECTION COMMITTMENTS
Ministers feel citizen fury at meeting on property tax
Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu pacified citizens at an intense BBMP public meeting on 15 July saying that the state government had not made up its mind on the status of the CVS-based property tax scheme.
On 15 July 2008, more than 200 people stood outside the Ravindra Kalakshetra on J C Road, holding placards that read 'scrap CVS' and other similar slogans for improper property taxes. This was the scene in a public interaction meeting organised by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to discuss issues relating to property tax assessment and the vexed Sakrama law.
Citizen interaction proceeding in a crowded auditorium. Pic: Author.
Present in the meeting were R Ashoka, Transport Minister, Katta Subramanya Naidu, excise and IT BT minister and Shobha Karandalaje, minister for Rural development and Panchayati Raj. Along with them were S Subramanya, Commissioner BBMP, H Siddhai, Commissioner, BDA, Dilip Rau, ex BBMP Commissioner and other officials and MLAs.
Earlier this year, the BBMP had attempted to implement both the capital value assessment (CVS) scheme for property tax and the Sakrama scheme for regularising unauthorised constructions. Citizens had risen in protest against the both the schemes; they stated that public opinion was never taken into consideration. BBMP wanted to bring in CVS to increase its tax collection.
The gathering of citizens stood with endless questions and unrest in front of the auditorium even before the meeting started. People were pointing implementing CVS or Sakrama would increase more corrupt practices than solving them. Many property owners will be forced to pay lakhs of rupees as property tax under the capital value system (CVS) as against Rs.10,000 being paid under the annual rateable value(ARV) based system, they said.
Katta Subramanya Naidu discussing with R Ashok while Shobha Karandalaje looks around. Pic: Author.
"We just want them to scrap the CVS scheme and Sakrama, that is the only way this government can sustain. It is sheer fooling the citizens by coming up with unclear policies," said N S Mukunda, President of Citizens' Action Forum. He also said that the meeting itself is a productive step and hoped that it would bring good results.
However, the fact that people were given entry only on invitation was not liked by anyone and after a lot of argument entry was open for all. "If it is an interaction session with the public then how can they call on invitation, what is the basis of the invitation, who decides whom to call?" questioned Mukunda.
Citizens and residents association members had started gathering from 9am itself. The meeting began at 11.00am; it was originally slated to begin 10.30 am. The citizens wanted to welcome the ministers with placrads and wide participation. The hall was full when the meeting began. Residents' welfare associations who were eager to put forth their suggestions and express their anger on the property tax assessments.
As is conventional at such meetings the ministers and officials sat on stage. Citizens took turns going to the podium to raise their questions or grievances. Not all could get a chance to put their views in front of the ministers. To all those who expressed their concern, R Ashoka responded by saying that he will take into consideration all the suggestions of the citizens.
"I have opposed CVS even before election with different residential welfare associations. My stand has not changed even now," he added.
There were suggestions to introduce the Annual Rateable Value (ARV) system throughout the state by amending the relevant provision law. The discussion mainly happened around CVS, and a lot of residents suggested that such discussions be held in assembly constituencies as well. The ministers agreed.
On Sakrama, Sujatha Bhaskar, president, South Indian Women Entrepreneurs Association, Indiranagar said, "I was the first one to start the protest against Sakrama on M G Road. I am glad that at least there is awareness and people are raising voice against this."
There were many doubts in citizens' minds. "Why do the BBMP or the BDA and other civic bodies not have any details of all the property under its jurisdiction and why 60 per cent are not under assessment of taxes?" asked one of agitated citizens to the BBMP Commissioner Subramanya. The BDA was also accused of failing to meet the demand for allotting sites, which has led people to buy revenue sites or sites in unauthorised layouts.
Citizen interaction proceeding in a crowded auditorium. Pic: Author.
Similar questions kept pouring in throughout the meeting. "CVS is going to increase corruption," said Sajjan Raj Mehata, President, Karnataka Hosiery and Garment Association who is in favour of scrapping the policy.
Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu though pacified the citizens by saying, "We would not have convened this meeting if we wanted to introduce CVS." The politicians were patient in listening to the grievances and suggestions. They promised to revise the Sakrama scheme and also even reduce the rates of the capital value.
People were satisfied by voicing their opinions and getting feedback from the ministers. As goes for all such meetings, even this time while there was positive feeling at the end of the meeting, citizens will have to wait and watch.
18 Jul 2008
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