Support for activistcoordinator with PSS

1
Support for activist/coordinator with PSS
Organic Dhaba proposal
2
Introduction

• Madhumitta Dutta
• 1997 to July 2002 Toxics Link
  (http//www.toxicslink.org/) an info. clearing
  house on toxics and related issues
• Early 2003 moved to Gujarat
• Work with small groups engaged in environment,
  labor, gender and communal issues

3
Contd.

• Groups include
• -Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti (PSS)
• -Vadodara Kamdar Union (VKU)
• -Sahiyar
• -Peoples Training and Research Centre (PTRC)

4
The past 6 months

• International Women and Mining Conference
  organizing committee/core team
• Volunteered for organizing the International
  Climate Justice Forums Peoples Convention on
  Climate Change (Oct 2002)
• Fact sheet and briefing paper on Lindane on
  behalf of the Pesticide Working Group of the
  Intl. POP Elimination Network (IPEN)
• Member of CAPE (Community Action for Pesticide
  Elimination) wrote paper exploring links b/w
  industry and govt.

5
Contd.

• National Alliance for Zero Waste (NAZW)
• Networking
• Jury member on Human Rights Convention at
  Roberts Ganj
• Member of Delhi Support Group for Muthanga
  Wildlife Sanctuary victims
• Etc etc.

6
Contd.

• Abandoned asbestos - Chaibasa, Jharkhand
  involved in preliminary investigations, worked
  with local groups, fact finding team constituted
  case being prepared against company and govt.
  as per CPCB recommendation
• Mosabani Copper mines and smelting plant toxic
  waste dumping in upstream region of Subarnarekha
  river. Strategizing on how to tackle this issue.
  CPCB believes the plant should be shut down.

7
Contd.

• Pollution issue in Eloor Industrial Area and
  Pesticides run off from Iddukki Spice and Tea
  plantations, Kerala (CPCB has assured that the
  State Pollution Board will be directed to
  investigate all these matters)
• Lalpania Thermal Power Plant and ash dyke case
  (CPCB had issue letters to the State Pollution
  Board to take action)

8
Plans for the next year

• The Organic Dhaba
• Hema Chemicals (HC) Story
• Pesticides Campaign
• --------------------------------------------------
  ----------
• Hema Chemicals born in 1968
• Flouted to working condition standards and
  waste disposal norms
• 2001 GPCB criminal charges filed but no action!
• 220 out of 250 workers have not been
  compensated, despite High Court orders to the
  contrary
• One unit re-opened employing 30 workers who
  were close to the management

9
Whats to be done?

• PSS, PTRC ex - workers planning various
  activities
• Photo-documentation of the affected workers
• History and present status of the Hema campaign,
• Mapping of the chrome wastes dumped
• Possible legal intervention in the Supreme Court
  PIL as part of the High Powered Committee formed
  under the Research Foundation on Hazardous Waste
• Making an assessment of workers health in other
  Chrome based industry in Gujarat.
• Madhumitta will be doing some of this work

10
But more importantly!

• Organic Dhaba
• Street-side restaurant to serve organically
  grown, chemical free food
• Evolved out of explorations for alternative
  livelihoods for workers who have been rendered
  jobless because of their agitation against HC
• Objectives
• Rehab of retrenched workers and activists
• Contribute to building organic movement across
  the country dislodge it as an elite fad

11
Contd.

• Model alternative livelihood for similar workers
  across the country
• Envisioned to be mainly run by workers themselves
• Resources to go to small groups across the
  country fighting for livelihood, health access to
  resources
• The incipient Dhaba started operations on the
  July 20th as a catering service
• 170 meals served in a about 3 days!

12
We need to decide on

• ASAP
• Supporting Madhumitta for the next year?
• Rs. 50,000
• --------------------------------------------------
  -----------------
• Budget for the Organic Dhaba
• Construction of lari (one time cost) Rs 40,000
• Cooking equipment/utensils (one time cost) Rs
  30,000
• Deep refrigerator (one time cost) Rs 15,000
• Furniture (one time cost) Rs 10,000
• Service equipment (one time cost) Rs 10,000

13
Contd.

• Rent electricity water (for initial 6
  months) Rs 12,000
• Salary (for initial 6 months) 2500 x 4 persons
  Rs 60,000
• Food material (for initial 3 months) Rs 90,000
• Contingency Rs 20,000
• Total Rs 2,87,000 (5979)
• (Exchange rate USD 1 _at_ Rs 48)