The Hindu Business Line : Bill to remove hand-pulled rickshaws soon: Buddhadeb

The Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, expressed here on Monday his Government's determination to move in the on-going winter session of the West Bengal Assembly a Bill that seeks to withdraw hand-pulled rickshaws from Kolkata's streets "on humanitarian grounds".

Mr Bhattacharjee has described the mode of transport as "inhuman" and one which is "no longer seen in any other city in the world".

The Calcutta Hackney-Carriage (Amendment) Bill 2006 which was to have been tabled in the State Assembly in July 20 was put on hold and referred to a select committee by the Speaker, Mr H.A. Halim.

The select committee met here during the day when the Chief Minister reiterated his decision to do away with hand-pulled rickshaws. He reportedly told representatives of Opposition parties who were opposed to the proposed Bill "being moved in the House in a hurry" that they were free to append their note of dissent to it, the Trinamool Congress leader, Mr Partha Chatterjee, said.

The Chief Minister added that rickshaw pullers would be offered alternative means of earning and the State Government was also working on a rehabilitation package for those concerned.

The Trinamool Congress has been demanding deferring the Bill till arrangements for the rehabilitation of rickshaw pullers are finalised. Moreover, "they provide a critical service to people of the city at critical times", Mr Chatterjee said at the meeting.

According to official estimates, there are nearly 5,000 licensed rickshaws in the city.

More Stories on : Policy | Social Welfare | West Bengal

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
`Free trade pact with China not now'

AP seeks review of statutory warning on bidi

Visa norms eased for Chinese

`No curbs on FDI from any country'

Bill to remove hand-pulled rickshaws soon: Buddhadeb

Kerala for consensus on Mullaperiyar, says CM

Blame game over Volkswagen issue

Reddy allays fears on K-G gas reserves

Saab to set up Bangalore base for fighter jet arm Gripen