Seminar and Dharna and Protest march against proposed privatisation of PMPML

INVITATION

Dear friend,

As you are aware, the PMPML is proposing to buy 650 buses under the JNNURM, and along with this purchase, there is a proposal to restructure the PMPML. Under this proposed restructuring, it is proposed to:

1. Buy 200 AC buses of these 650 buses.

2. Handover all these 650 buses to private operators to be run by them on Public-Private Partnership basis.

3. As a first step, handover 250 new buses and 38 routes to private operators to be run by them on monopoly basis.

Various citizen groups of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have come together to organize two seminars on this proposed restructuring of the Pune Municipality Parivahan Mahamandal Limited, one in Pune and one in Pimpri-Chinchwad, as we strongly feel that this goes against the interests of the citizens of the city for a good, cheap and efficient public transport system. The program schedule is as follows:

Seminar One:

Date: Monday, September 7, 2009 Time: 4.30 pm

Venue: Lokhande Sabha Gruh, near Phule Statue, Pimpri.

Seminar Two:

Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 Time: 6 pm

Venue: Shramik hall, Near Dengle Bridge, Near PMC bus stand, Pune.

This is to invite you to the seminar, as it is very important that all of us discuss these proposals in depth as the public transport system is the lifeline of the city.

DHARNA AND PROTEST MARCH

This would be followed by a protest on Thursday, Sept 10, in which various activists and citizen groups from Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad are going to participate.

DHARNA OUTSIDE PMPML HEADOFFICE, SWARGATE
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: PMPML Office, Swar gate.

On the same day, there would be a protest march from Corporation building to PMPML headoffice, which would join up with the activists sitting on the dharna.

Rally from CORPORATION BUILDING TO PMPML HEAD OFFICE, SWARGATE
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3 pm to 5 pm

Do join us for these series of programs.

in solidarity,
—
Neeraj Jain
On Behalf of LOKAYAT

Type rest of the post here

PROTEST AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF PMPML and PROCUREMENT OF AC BUSES

Press Release
Dated: 30 July 2009

To,
Editors of All Pune Newspapers

PROTEST AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF PMPML and PROCUREMENT OF AC BUSES

Lokayat is organizing a protest demonstration at PMC Corporation Bus Stand against the proposals of PMC and PMPML management to take steps towards the privatization of PMPML and also against the proposal to procure 200 AC buses. These steps would be disastrous for the smooth running of the City’s public transportation system, and would lead to further growth of traffic congestion and pollution in the city.

Date: Thursday, 30 July, 2009
Time: 6.45 pm
Venue: Corporation bus stand

Kindly send a reporter and photographer to cover the above protest, which needs to be supported if the city is to survive.

in solidarity,
Neeraj Jain