Certain solutions suggested to overcome the problem.
The unorganized sector comprises of self employed P/H persons, Auto rickshaw drivers, tourist taxi operators and all types of daily wage earners
Conferring of B2 status on Puducherry, corresponding wage increase both at the centre and state despite economic slowdown world over and India in particular has made life miserable. The bridge between the have and have-nots has widened. Meeting the day to day household expenses is a knotty problem but certain things which are man made can be avoided and the Government of Puducherryy can provide some relief to “aam admi”. What is more painful is the way in which the money is sunk and squandered on projects and abandoned half way. Reason cited by the government is paucity of funds. As a result,the common public is not able to reap the benefits of the project. To cite examples
1) The “Mother and Child” hospital at Sharada Nagar though 75% of the work was complete but was abandoned.
2) With regards to the government medical college, only the pillars were raised at Kathirgramam later it was abandoned.
3) Lastly the memorial park in the Name of our beloved national leader Thailvar Kamaraj at Karuvadikuppam was abandoned after substantial ground work was done..
Had the government of Puducherry taken one project at a time, a tangible benefit would have accrued. The grievances are categorized as follows:
Employment scenario for P/H persons- Chaotic:
The non – implementation of 3% under the “Disability Act 1995” is the main grouse of the P/H persons. This was further aggravated and compounded by non release of loan for self employment for second time by the Handicapped Corporation to those P/H persons who successfully cleared the dues of the previous loan. The loans are denied on the plea that rule forbids the Corporation to extend loan the second time. To put it the other way the P/H persons are entitled for loan only once. Moreover, the loan provided to P/H is only paltry. More loans should be provided for genuine borrowers.
The special employment exchange for P/H persons at Puducherry established under “The Disability Act 1995” has not played any proactive role in securing/providing employment in the state/central government departments and public sector undertakings. Some P/H persons out of anguish have expressed their dissent by requesting the Government of Puducherry to close the Special Employment Exchange.
Woes of“Aam Admi” regarding Government Medical College- Disillusioned
The Government of Puducherry has yet to establish a Government Medical College of 250 seats at Puducherry. Here again, for reasons unknown the Private Medical College are thwarting the attempts to open the medical college. Government medical college will help students hailing from unorganized sector/P/H to pursue their medical career at an affordable cost
Request for enhancement of Interest rates on deposits and lowering of interest on lending for P/H persons and registered unorganized sector.
P/H and unorganized sector humbly request the Union Government to increase the interest rates on all types of deposits kept with bank/post office by minimum 3% and reduce/slash the lending rates by minimum by 5%.be it housing loans, educational loan for self or for their wards etc., This will help them to absorb the shock of inflation and price rise to an extent.
Broad gauge –Yes but Long Distance Trains to and from Puducherry definitely -- No.
Puducherry was converted to broad gauge five years ago. Despite being feasible, no regular trains worth the name connect Puducherry to any part of India. Whatever trains are running right now are weekly trains and the remaining trains i.e. early mornings and late evenings to and from Chennai are for the exclusive use of the railway staff. The Association has made adequate representations regarding this problem to the President of India, Governor, Chief Minister and railway officials. Despite recession/meltdown the self employed P/H persons, auto rickshaw drivers and tourist taxi operators can overcome this problem. At this juncture long distance trains operating to and from Puducherry would be of great help. The tourist traffic would increase. The railway authorities have released a press note saying that they have been given permission to lay tracks for 900kms during the last five years (courtesy Tamil newspaper “Dinamalar” Sunday dated 18/01/2009). The track record of the government to lay broad gauge tracks is undoubtedly excellent but when it comes to running of trains on newly laid tracks it is “derailed”. The pertinent question raised by the Unorganized Sector is that why no new trains to all parts of India are introduced on the newly laid tracks even after five years. The reason for not starting the regular trains is under a cloud.
Is there a strong nexus between the private bus operators, ministers and railway officials? Are the newly laid tracks used as a tool to bargain and extort money and more money from private bus operators? The following suggestions are jointly made by the members of the P/H, auto drivers and taxi owners Associations:
1. To start and terminate trains from Puducherry instead of Bengaluru .
2. Trains starting and terminating from Chennai Egmore should pay a visit to Puducherry.
3. One long distance train staring or terminating at Chennai Central in each direction should start from Puducherry.
4. From Puducherry, a regular EMU service to Chennai Beach should commence
5. From Puducherry, a regular EMU service to Trichy should commence.
6. Does it not constitute a Constitutional Violation of Fundamental Rights? The citizens of Puducherry are clearly denied all the railway facilities even though they have all the infrastructural facilities. What is the legal remedy? Why is the Puducherry railway station renovated periodically at tax payers cost that too when there are no trains?
7. Are the newspapers aware of this problem?
8. Is the Puducherry railway booking counter entitled to collect Rs10/= extra as service charges when passengers are compelled to board trains at Chennai Central due to non availability of trains at Puducherry ? Does it not amount to unfair trade practice?
Role of general public
We humbly request Public Spirited Persons, NGOs and Well Wishers through your columns to take up this matter and help the marginalized section of the society. Projects for starting co-operative societies is also welcome A detailed study of this problem should be undertaken by progressive newspapers.
Physically Handicapped Youth Association, www.phyaworld.blogspot.com
Regd 96/1999
152/A Patchamuthu Mari Amman Koil (back side)
Kumaragurupallam,
Puducherry 605 011
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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