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A symbol of the city's culture and tradition for over a century, the hand-pulled rickshaws of Kolkata are on their way out
The West Bengal government's decision to ban hand-pulled rickshaws from the streets of Kolkata, while appreciated by many, is raising concerns about the need to provide alternative livelihoods to those rendered jobless by the ban. On August 15, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee announced his plan to phase out hand-pulled rickshaws from the city in around five months, giving officials enough time to find other jobs for the 6,000-odd licensed rickshaw-pullers.
According to estimates by the All Bengal Rickshaw-Pullers' Association, approximately 35,000 people (including 14,000 unlicensed pullers) engaged in the business of hand-pulled rickshaws as owners, contractors and pullers are bound to lose their jobs following the ban's implementation.
Human rights campaigners have been demanding a ban on what they call a "feudal" means of transport since the 1980s.
The rickshaw-pullers, however, are sceptical about the government's promise to offer them an alternative means of livelihood. They say they would rather continue in their current profession. "It is our fate that we are poor rickshaw-pullers. If they take away our livelihoods without an alternative, how will we survive," asks 72-year-old Ganesh Shaw.
The All Bengal Rickshaw Union (ABRU) has threatened to start an agitation unless plans for alternative employment are more clearly spelt out. "We are not sure of the government's policy, and the absence of clear communication is worrying...There are about 100,000 people who depend on the rickshaw trade for a living. They are not stealing, but slogging for an honest living," says Mukhtar Ali, vice-president of the All Bengal Rickshaw Union.
The people of Kolkata, meanwhile, are divided on the decision to put a complete ban on rickshaw pulling. In many parts of the city, especially in the less-developed north, rickshaws are the only available means of short-distance, public transport.
The mixed reaction to the decision is being echoed by many like Lata Mukherjee, a resident of Bowbazar in north Kolkata, who says: "I am worried these men might lose their livelihood without suitable rehabilitation. But I feel happy that their suffering will end."
Environmentalists are also arguing that if all hand-pulled rickshaws are replaced by motorised ones, the annual pollutant load will increase by 11 tonnes of lead, 4,000 tonnes of particulate matter, 20,000 tonnes of carbon monoxide and 150 tonnes of nitrogen oxides.
A study entitled 'Hand-rickshaw Pullers of Kolkata' by The Calcutta Samaritans and ActionAid highlights the plight of the rickshaw-puller who, on a good day, earns between Rs 100 and Rs 120, nearly half of which goes to the rickshaw owner.
The survey by the two civil society organisations showed that 90% of rickshaw-pullers are homeless, with an overwhelming majority of 54% living in deras (garages or places where they park their carts). Another 39% live on the pavements; the rest live in their own or rented houses.
The survey also revealed that 60% of rickshaw-pullers suffer from tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Their lifestyle makes them prone to respiratory diseases and heart ailments.
Source: IANS, August 23, 2005
IPS, August 19, 2005
The Washington Times, August 22, 2005
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