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12/21/2009 6:12 PM
Introduction of the
organizers:
Federation of Rickshaw Pullers of India fondly known as “FORPI” is
more than an ordinary unionization of rickshaw pullers. It’s a dream,
a thought to be free from shackles of poverty and neglect.
The campaign is brainchild of ‘PATH4India’a noted NGO
in the field of social justice through economic and social
empowerment.
Recognition of day to day need and subsequent care of
the same is primary mandate of this campaign. With the strength of
40 rickshaw pullers the campaign became vocal on 11th of May 2009.
The work of FORPI is centered on capacity building
instead of charity. FORPI believes that a uniform platform for like
minded people with common objectives and issues would enable
them to work for the maximum benefit of the target groups. Also
FORPI has firm trust on decentralized decision making which involves
all the possible beneficiaries.
In a nutshell mandate of FORPI includes
Organizing individual as well as small unions of Rickshaw Pullers of India and create an
umbrella for them.
Facilitating organized identification for them.
Advocacy for their Right to Livelihood and to be a Part of the Society.
Creating co-ordination between Policy makers, Enforcement agencies, Municipal bodies
and Rickshaw Pullers.
Providing them a helpline Number in every city.
Evolving a procedure of three layer identification of migrant rickshaw pullers to ensure
mutual security.
To promote advance and less effort taking rickshaws
Arrange day and night shelters for rickshaw pullers with the help of Govt. and Municipal
Bodies.
To use Micro-Credit as a tool for Economic Empowerment of rickshaw pullers, linking them
with financial institutions.
To ensure social and financial security.
To regularize fares as per distance.
To train them for well behavior and motivate them to charge fare as per the standards.
To facilitate them with traffic training and provide with traffic rules along with their
certification and license and ensure their safety with the help of concerned authorities.
Facilitate augmentation of their financial resources in order to enable them to return their
debts through various creative means.
To introduce ‘Shops on Wheel’ (Chalti – Firti Dukaan) with the help of commercial
establishments under Corporate Social Responsibility.
With the above vision FORPI has taken a step towards mass attempt for the welfare of
Rickshaw Pullers and for this FORPI has relied on the mutual dialogue between the
volunteers and office bearers of PATH4India and Rickshaw Pullers at the root level.
While…
. PATH is a noted
social enterprise; a voluntary
youth Organisation founded in
the year 2000, and is
registered under Societies
Registration Act of 1860. The
motive of PATH is to work as a
facilitator to give momentum
to the ongoing process of
sustainable development over
and above sustainable
livelihood. We intend to
empower the people to
become the carrier of
development of their own as
well as the community. We
intend to create a network of
these individuals in order to
maximize the impact of their
efforts.
History of tothe Cooperative Movement oftheRickshaw
Rickshaw is popular conveyance, everywhere in India, indeed in most of the parts of world now and it’s popularity
has increased due the rapid pace of urbanization. As the scheme for ameliorating weaker section of
Pullers:
populace, it was thought that the rickshaw pullers, who are very poor, and also exploited heavily, should be formed
in to a cooperative. This cooperative should not only supply them with rickshaws, but also take upon itself, the
other amenity activities, such as:
Including in them the habit of thrift,
Provision of shelters
Provision of recreational facilities and
A workshop to attend to minor repair of rickshaws
The first society to be registered in Delhi in the year 1955 under the name of ‘Rickshaw Puller’s
Cooperative Industrial Society’ with membership of 24 and share capital Rs 345. By June 1964 its membership
stood at 451. The society owned 150 Cycle Rickshaws and 30 Scooter Rickshaws.
A scheme was drawn up in the year 1959, in which societies were offered financial assistance, in the form
of loan up to a maximum of Rs 20,000, repayable in 7 years, to be used for purchasing rickshaws. Further a society
was to be given Rs 900 for 3 to 5 years for ‘Managerial Subsidy’. The number of societies rose from 45 in 1960 to
97 in 1962-63. Since hard cart pliers and reda pullers are also subject to similar exploitation, their cooperatives too
have been brought in to the scheme. The management subsidy ids the same and the Central Government provides
loan assistance for purchase of hand carts, subject to a maximum of Rs 10,000 per society, repayable within the
period of 5 years in equal annual installments.
There were 222 societies of Rickshaw Pullers at the end of 1969-70 with a membership of 9241. The share
capital and working capital of the societies amounted to Rs 80 Lakhs and Rs 36 Lakhs respectively. To enable
rickshaw pullers to own their auto rickshaws, the Department of cooperative, Govt. of India was allotting chassis of
three wheeler auto rickshaws to deserving rickshaw pullers / auto rickshaw driver’s cooperative societies. Till the
quarter ending 1971, 125 chassis had been provided to these societies in various states. But unfortunately, the
movement has been stopped all of a sudden and there is no reference of such societies in the review of
Cooperative Movement 1972-74 brought out by Reserve Bank of India.
After 1971, situation has become adverse, financing of rickshaw pullers, somehow Delhi Cooperative
society had left helping societies working for rickshaw pullers and finally societies have been broken.
With the time a new class has emerged, they used to be called Rickshaw Owners / Financers and Rickshaw
Contractors. Rickshaw Owners / Financers are those, who invest their money in financing the purchase of
rickshaws, and Rickshaw Contractors are those, who run the business of providing rickshaws to the migrant
Labourers on rent, which is Rs 30-40 per day. They are very few in number, but they have a hold on system
because of their financial strength collected through rickshaw business. Initially they have purchased 50-100
rickshaws, but now in East Delhi some big players have 25000-35000 Rickshaws, which they rent out for Rs 30-40
per day and earn Rs 7,50,000 or more. This business has also involvement of bureaucrats and workers of Municipal
Corporation of Delhi/NDMC, who have issued few licenses to be used commonly by Rickshaw Contractors for all his
rickshaws, and certain concerned officials and staffs get paid on the monthly basis. The name of Rickshaw
Contractor gets used as the password by the rickshaw pullers, who carry their rickshaw to not get caught by the
officials or the staffs of MCD/NDMC.
Presently, the actual rickshaw pullers are daily waged Labourers, strive hard to collect at least 90 Rs per
day to pay the rent of Rs 30-40 and feed himself twice a day.
Motive of the Workshop:
Motive of the
workshop was to
have a look at the
present scenario
and plight of
Rickshaw Pullers
over and above
brain storming on
following issues:
Sessions:
Tuesday, 15/12/2009
‘Satnam Singh’ and ‘Harihar Yadav’ are the rickshaw pullers, who raises
their voice against neglect of rickshaw pullers by those, who is
responsible for not allowing rickshaw pullers, a separate lane, an
authorized parking, a night shelter, rickshaw stands, fresh drinking
water, clean toilets and many more things of a human need or indeed
exploitation of rickshaw pullers by traffic constables, municipal
authorized as well as fake workers etc.
Although they do not know that constitution of ‘Republic of India’ have
declared India as a welfare state, also it says that all citizen of
India is equally important to the nation. The constitution also bestows
all citizen rights to get clean drinking water, fresh air etc and
privileges to use road, public toilets etc., but they know that they are
a citizen of India, voters and part of Indian community and they at
least should be provided basic human facilities on moral ground.
Shaik Altaf Ahmed of Prayas Institute for Social Development have
endowed them with a brief of their constitutional rights as a citizen of
India, while Vighnesh Jha, President and CEO of PATH have briefed about
the benefits and errors of Delhi Town Planning (2001-2021), he also
stated that the implementation channel and very weak and not paying
attention to provide benefits to the street professionals, as if they do
not have any existence.
Ms Jyoti Gupta of IGSSS have stated about the provision for Night
Shelters as per previous 20 point program of Govt of India.
Finally, the decision have been taken by the present delegates to
contact policy making authorities of Dept. of Town Planning and MCD/NDMC
and present them a memorandum of demands of the rickshaw pullers.
Role of Rickshaw in the reduction of CO2
Emission:
Pollution, congestion and traffic fatality are alarming in Indian cities, for example Delhi is one of the
10 most polluted cities in the world and the traffic fatality in Delhi is more than double that of all
other major Indian cities combined. Delhi has about 1% population of India, but as much as 10% of
country’s motor vehicles. It is estimated that about 70% of the pollution in Delhi comes from the
traffic. However, the non-motorized transport still remains very important in most Indian cities (and
even more in the countryside), especially for the poorer sector of society. This constitutes
pedestrians, bicycles, rickshaws and animal drawn vehicles. The road planners, engineers and
politicians have neglected, and even looked down upon the development of this mode of
transportation, though it is non-polluting, occupies much less road space and needs less
infrastructure than motorized vehicles. Non-motorized vehicles have been labeled backward, merely
because these are not common in the west and are patronized more by the poorer majority of the
people. The environment-friendly road users have not been given recognition and their life and
profession remains unsafe and inconvenient in the middle of motorized vehicles.
One aspect of the transport is energy consumption. In non-motorized mode human energy is used,
where as the motorized transport uses imported petroleum, which largely contributes to the financial-
strategic independence on petroleum. Over 35% of India’s petroleum consumption is in transport
sector. The increase of motorized transport has also raised the amount of imported petroleum and set
the Indian economy under a stress and dependence on crude oil prices. Besides environmental
problems, the motorized vehicles also contribute to congestion, noise and insecurity in the roads.
The cycle rickshaw was first invented and used in Japan in the end of 19th century, and the word
rickshaw comes from a Japanese word Jinn Rake Shaw, meaning literally a hand-powered vehicle. The
cycle rickshaw spread rapidly in the Indian cities in 1930s and 1940s, first in Calcutta. Nowadays, in
Delhi over 50% of the journeys are estimated to be shorter than 5 km, which means that bicycles and
rickshaws have a great importance in transportation, both for persons and for goods. It has been
estimated that the proportion of cycle traffic is more than 30% of the total traffic in the peak hours on
many arterial roads and even on highways. A large number of people have no other choices than
cycling or walking, because approximately 28% of the households in Delhi have a monthly income of
less than 2000 rupees and not many households can spend more than 10% of the income on
transport.
Need of Traffic Training to the Rickshaw Pullers of
urban settlement in India:
The general notion about Bicycle and Rickshaw is that the one, who is
riding these vehicles, does not need any specific training, but, in this
workshop, we discovered the truth that the traffic training to the Bicycle
and Rickshaw Pullers are must, and they, themselves advocates this training
and excepts troubles and fear of not being trained for traffic rides. The
most immigrant rickshaw pullers come from Bihar, Assam, Bengal, Orissa,
Tripura, Tamil Nadu and even Bangladesh.
Rickshaw pullers, such as Pawan Yadav, Arjun Giri, Julmi Ray and many more
feels that often they meet small or big road accidents, because they mostly
are illiterate or semi literate and cannot manage to know all traffic rules
themselves. On top of it, State Governments, specifically, Govt. of Delhi
does not have any provision of providing traffic training to the rickshaw
and cycle drivers. Although they have normally great command on their
rickshaws, but they are unaware of many road signs. If they ever go to any
traffic constable to ask them about signs, he will start beating them and
also will demand bribe for their release.
They all have demanded that FORPI should intervene and either demand
traffic training by the Department or should design an innovative model of
training jointly with the department. Also to manage a license after being
trained, so, they could not be harassed by Traffic constables.
Anurag Sharma of PATH has made them know the basic traffic signs.
Action plan on the formation of Rickshaw Puller’s Cooperative
in Different sectors of Rohini, Delhi as a model cooperative
project: - I A brief about the issues arrived:
Traditionally the rickshaw designs vary considerably from one part of India to the other. Bicycles,
being an industrial product, have been improving in design and technology, but the design of cycle
rickshaws has remained stagnant, inefficient and wasteful in the use of human energy. The main
deficiencies include inefficient brakes, single gear, poor suspension, high weight of the rickshaw and
uncomfortable seats for passengers and the puller.
Ram Shobhit Mahto, a rickshaw puller, says that if rickshaws from a particular company have been
bought mistakenly by any rickshaw puller, he may get tuberculosis or some other disease soon as a
punishment for buying particular rickshaw.
Therefore the most import decision, which has been taken that the rickshaw design should be
researched and modified. Even the latest modified design has many errors and should be re modified
and a shock observer should be added to make rickshaw comfortable for aged and pregnant ladies also
and provided the same to the cooperative.
In the fast moving world of motorized traffic, it is difficult for the rickshaw puller to drive safely. It is
difficult for the rickshaw pullers to cope up with the heavy traffic around. For the traffic police
rickshaws are the biggest nuisance elements on the road. Since rickshaws come under the slow moving
traffic, Motor Vehicles Act is not applicable for them. "Roads are designed in such a manner that there
is no space left for rickshaws." An authority of Traffic said in a meeting before the workshop that, they
are concerned about the smooth moving of traffic without any hindrance to the public, welfare of
every individual is not the responsibility of Delhi Traffic Police. Ultimately, it seems that they are the
second class citizen and does not have the right to work for their livelihood in the city which
accommodates many million people. Not just, and the Municipal Council, Delhi Development Authority,
Department of Planning as well as Transport Department shall have to ponder to provide the bicycle
riders and rickshaw pullers a separate lane.
Action plan on the formation of Rickshaw Puller’s Cooperative
in Different sectors of Rohini, Delhi as a model cooperative
project:
Very - IIare owners of their vehicles. The rickshaws are owned by a few businessmen who
few rickshaw pullers
rent it out. The business they run is illegal. "According to bye-laws of MCD, a person is not supposed to own
more than a single rickshaw. But, due to the illiteracy and fear of not getting the status of legal residents of
Delhi, hardly any Rickshaw Pullers have any bank account or saving habit. "Delhi Municipal Cycle Rickshaw
Policy 1982" - a scheme for the issue of cycle rickshaw licenses on puller-cum-owner basis was formulated by
the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in accordance with the MCD Cycle Rickshaw Bye-laws, 1960 as amended up
to 1976 and guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India in its judgment of 5 August 1980 (in C.W.P.
No.728 and 841 of 1980). The scheme extends to the whole territory of MCD Delhi, except the area specifically
excluded or banned for plying cycle rickshaws. According to the scheme 15 per cent of the licenses will be
reserved for the Scheduled Caste and 7.5 per cent for the Scheduled Tribe candidates. The most interesting
part of the scheme is the issuance of an eligibility certificate for loan. MCD will issue a certificate for the
applicant/puller which will help for in applying for a loan to the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank,
Bank of Baroda or any other nationalized Bank for advance of loan up to Rs 900 and in special cases for a larger
sum according to the increased cost of cycle rickshaws. The scheme exists only in papers. Rickshaw pullers are
not aware of the schemes and those who are aware do not utilize the facility. The banks are also reluctant to
implement this scheme.
For getting license officially one will have to pay Rs 50 and unofficially it will be Rs 200 to Rs 2500. "Then
comes all the expenses of repairing the vehicle, taking it out from the clutches of traffic police as well as
MCD authorities - all these expenses are met by a Rickshaw Puller, who is not an owner, but mere a
labour. As far as the MCD authorities are concerned dispensing of license is a simple procedure. But
according to rickshaw pullers and owners “it is the most difficult task if you are not willing to give bribe".
According to the Bye-law:” Any License to be granted to any person under these bye-laws shall be a
license with photograph affixed there, and the expenses incurred shall be borne by the licensee. These
charges shall be on actual cost basis as determined by the Commissioner from time to time”.” In reality,
they are very hesitant to issue driving license. If the MCD issue a license it will be after taking Rs 1000 to
Rs 1500, over and above the actual fee of Rs 50," complains a rickshaw puller. Consequently, in Delhi, very
few rickshaw pullers have licenses. On top of it, when the MCD authorities impound a rickshaw it should
be relieved in 15 days time. The authorities do not keep the rickshaw after 15 days. They dismantle it and
auction the scrap.” Any cycle rickshaw found plying for hire without a license or found driven by a person
not having proper license as provided under bye-law 2((1) and (2) shall be liable to be seized by the
commissioner or a person duly authorized by him in this behalf" states a notification of Delhi Municipal
Corporation (rickshaw bye-laws, 960) issued on 22 June 1994 by the Department of Urban Development.
The notification further states that "The cycle rickshaw, so seized shall be disposed off by public auction
after dismantling, deformation of such process including smashing it into a scrap after a reasonable time
as may be decided by the Commissioner from time to time. The sale proceeds of the public auction after
deducting the expenses of the auction and other departmental charged/dues shall be distributed equally
amongst owners of the seized cycle rickshaws put to auction, who come forward within 30 days of public
auction. In case no owner comes forward for claiming amount then the sale proceeds of public auction
shall be deemed to be the municipal funds and the same shall be deposited in the municipal treasury".
Action plan on the formation of Rickshaw Puller’s Cooperative
in Different sectors of Rohini, Delhi as a model cooperative
project: - III Like any other migrant workforce, housing is a major problem for rickshaw pullers. Most of the rickshaw
pullers stay in jhuggies or unauthorized colonies. People, who come leaving their family back, cuddle
themselves in the corner of the owners' workshop. "Many a time we sleep on our rickshaws," says Kesar
Das. “It gives us a feeling of security, because there is no fear of rickshaw being stolen." It’s almost
impossible to understand that after putting the plan of providing Night Shelters in the 20 Point Agenda
of Government of India many years ago, why implementing agencies hides their faces then onwards
after few works on field and few on papers? FORPI Should have start advocacy for both night shelters
and separate parking.
Rickshaw pullers do not have a union and it is difficult to organize rickshaw pullers. The general notion
about Rickshaw Pullers was that there is no unity among the rickshaw pullers. Most of them are
migrants. They do not operate in the city for long. They return to their villages after few months of
work. Illegal status of the rickshaw pullers makes the legal organisation almost impossible. Low returns
and the poverty of the rickshaw pullers make this sector non-self-sustaining. Moreover, a sector, which
does not even figure in the transport policy document of the government, cannot be seen as strategic.
With the emergence of FORPI, the unionization of Rickshaw Pullers took place with the time and lot’s of
effort and hard work made it possible in North West Delhi initially as a model project. Now around 1000
rickshaw pullers are unionized in the locality and after being verified, they carry a FORPI Identity Card
with them. On 12th December, 400 to 500 rickshaw puller members of FORPI were the part of ‘Global
Day of Climate Action’, a camp organized primarily by ‘Green Peace Foundation’ to react to the
proceedings at Copenhagen. The Limit of participants from each ‘Sector Governing Council’ of FORPI
was only 10, while their enthusiasm and devotion made us permit 20. Now FORPI has been given the
mandate of organizing rickshaw pullers of whole Delhi, and we are serious to get in to it very soon with
the help and support of some Government as well as Non Government enterprises / organizations after
successful formation of ‘Sanchay-Path’, a rickshaw puller’s cooperative. Etcetera . . .