Mumbai:
The Bharat bandh called by the Opposition to protest against rising prices has not only crippled the commercial capital of India, but will lead to a staggering Rs 300 crore loss in revenue.
AGNI, a network of citizen organizations
Gerson Dacuna, founder of Agni, a network of citizen organizations, said, "The city's (Mumbai) daily contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is Rs 300 crore, of which Rs 200 crore comes from the organised sector and remaining Rs 100 crore from the unorganised sector. Who will pay for the loss?"
"The bandh is illegal. Politicians are the reasons of all our problems and now they are calling a bandh to add salt to the wounds," said James John of Agni.
He further added, "We were among a group of petitioners who sought action by the Bombay High Court against two political parties and the State Government in the matter of a bandh in Mumbai called on July 30, 2003. The court upheld the view and that of Kerala High Court that bandhs are unconstitutional and illegal."
According to James, the court also agreed that those calling for bandhs should pay to make good any consequent damage to private or public property. Acting Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S U Kamdar had imposed a penalty of Rs 20 lakh on each political party, to be deposited in a fund for the city's welfare.
"We are amazed at the irresponsibility of political parties and their failure to heed to the letter and spirit of High Court orders. Why else call for a bandh? Such parties, under the guise of acting in the citizen's interest in the matter of price rise are hurting the very agenda. Bandhs reduce production; lower production means higher prices," James added.
On a conservative estimate, citizens of Mumbai lost Rs 50 crore during the July 30, 2003 bandh. The fundamental right to earn a living was violated and the worst affected were those who lack the means of easy redress, daily wage earners also represented the petitioning group.
James added, "We had moved court against the State Government for failure to protect life and property. Believing that bandhs should be put dealt with "an iron hand", the court issued directions to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police in 10 paras of their judgment about action to be taken when bandhs are declared."
James appealed to the political parties promoting July 5 bandh, to abandon this illegal and anti-people action and to note that it flouts court orders. "This can lead to higher liabilities. Penalties imposed in 2003 are only an indicative start," he said.