Articles by Vinay Sreenivasa

The Government of Karnataka (GoK) is planning to construct Elevated Corridors of around 90 kms at an estimated cost of Rs. 33,600 crores. The government claims that this will address traffic congestion in the city. There is opposition from citizens and experts alike for this proposed project. On November 17th 2018, the Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) held a public discussion on ‘Elevated Corridors: The Need for Alternatives’ which brought together a panel of experts on mobility, city planning, urban commons and law, along with citizens to discuss issues surrounding this project. H S Sudhira of Gubbi Labs said, “Comprehensive…

Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike (BBPV) organised a 'Commuter Ballot' campaign at Kempe Gowda Bus Stand, Majestic on September 20th, 2018. About 95% of the commuters who took part opposed the price hike. They also demanded that the State Government support to BMTC to make busses more affordable. The Karnataka Government has proposed to hike both BMTC and KSRTC bus ticket fares by 18% in context of the soaring fuel prices by the Central Government. Two days ago, the State Government has been quoted in the media that the proposal to hike the ticket fare is going to be temporarily docked.…

BBMP fails to issue ID cards to street vendors, even after 10 months of completion of Phase – I of survey BBMP must issue circular announcing Phase – II of survey to cover all existing street vendors in Bengaluru Eviction and relocation of street vendors continue against the law, and street vendors cannot avail benefits from State Government due to lack of ID cards Federation demands that all ID cards be immediately issued, failing which street vendors will go on protest in August 2018 The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) conducted a survey of street vendors in Bangalore in September-October…

Mr. Prime Minister, In a TV interview recently, you asserted that a person earning Rs. 200 a day selling pakodas is also an employed person. Many people took offence to this statement, claiming that your promise to generate 1 crore jobs is a hoax. While we appreciate the fact that you recognise street vending as an employment, the harsh realities under which street vendors carry out their livelihood has been lost in your statement. Street vending is an independent and dignified profession. We are proud to be street vendors. However, we cannot take away the context in which we have…

On October 25th 2017, hundreds of contract powrakarmikas, under the BBMP Contract Powrakarmikara Union ® affiliated with the All India Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) held a protest against the gruesome attack and sexual harassment on Dalit women contract powrakarmikas in K.R. Puram (Ward No. 55) by the contractor, Nagesh and his henchmen and the inaction and apathy of the BBMP on the same. The protest was also to highlight the failure of the BBMP to remove the contract system and implement direct payment of wages to workers, despite the orders of the State Government to do so, which has…

As a result of sustained struggle of contract powrakarmikas, in June 2017, the Karnataka Government took a cabinet decision mandating abolition of contractors and direct payment of wages to workers. Despite this decision, the BBMP has been dragging its feet to implement it and the contract pourakarmikas are suffering at the hands of the contractors on a daily basis!  The BBMP was a mute spectator to the illegal protest and strike held by the contractors on two occasions in August and September 2017, during which period, the workers worked despite serious threats. The Union protested against the illegal action of…

BBMP contract workers protested in front on BBMP on Womens' Day. Even as the BBMP had organised exhibitions and other programs for Women’s day, more than a thousand women contract Powrakarmikas of Bengaluru gathered at the BBMP head office to ask the BBMP, why these working women were being denied their rights. Workers from Indiranagar, RT Nagar, Koramanagala, Hegganahalli, Kengeri, Ramamurthy nagar, Gandhinagar, Banaswadi, Yelahanka and several other areas, braved threats from contractors and participated in the protest. The Contractor of Horamavu and Rammurthynagar has even threatened to fire the workers for being part of the protest. Students, several activists…

Unregistered street vendors have to pay off the police every day. As per the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihoods and Street Vendors)Act, 2014 , BBMP has the primary responsibility of ensuring the rights of street vendors and of regulating street vending. Unfortunately, none of the political parties seem to have taken this into consideration while drafting their manifestoes. While no party talks about implementing the law, what is worse is that some parties instead talk of evicting us! Our federation has studied the manifestoes of all major parties and we bring before you an analysis of the same.   Party…

R Ashok, Transport and Home Minister, and minister-in-charge of Bangalore, recently announced that BBMP would try to create new playgrounds. While this is a welcome statement, it is unfortunate that BBMP is threatening to take away a portion of a century-old playground. Protests at Malleswaram grounds. Pic: Vani Murthy BBMP's ill-advised Road-Widening plan will not only impact trees, homes and pedestrians but the century old Malleswaram 18th cross playground as well. Around 7 m – 12 m of the ground and the trees on one side of the ground will need to be given up if the road is widened.…