Past Announcements
2019-11-14: 2019-11-14 Hamara Manch report on corruption in Hall mess management.
Particularly note the attachment
Hall 8 Mess: A Case of Brazen Corruption and Impunity of Contractors in the Campus
2019-06: Since May this year, Hamara Manch has resumed it's news letter, albeit in a different form.
Accordingly, the webpage हमारी चौपाल, हमारी बात is being renamed to Hamara Manch Newsletter. First newsletter can be viewed here.
Mass Dismissals in Visitor's Hostel: A large number (more than seventy) workers seem to have been dismissed from Visitor's Hostel. August 2018.
2018-04-27: On the issue of eviction notice to washermen (dhobis) (see this page for details) we request you to sign the following petition: IITK should withdraw eviction notice to Dhobi community. Please do sign the petition!
2018-04-12: Eviction notice to Dhobis: neither the service provider nor the users consulted (A Hamara Manch Update)
Dhobis were asked to move in the campus, when the institute needed them. Now after decades of service they have been suddenly declared "illegal occupants".
We are maintaining this and several related updates on the webpage Forcing washermen(dhobi) and their families out of the campus
2018-03-08: New Contracts in the Hall Messes (A Hamara Manch Update)
A cause for some joy: the proposal for PSPD model which would have seriously threatened the employment of many mess workers has been defeated for now.
2018-02-02: The Coming New Contracts in the Hall Messes: A Hamara Manch Update.
We are going to see a repeat of situation in VH in the hall messes!
August 2017 Onwards
Mass Dismissals in Visitor's Hostel: A large number (more than seventy) workers seem to have been dismissed from Visitor's Hostel.
We are presently updating the page continuously with added information and updates from the campus. Last updated 2017-11-07.
2018-02-19: CF Update:
We have updated the webpage with follow up communications with Louvre/Sarovar; essentially they have just stated non-responses.
On 2018-02-02 Hamara Manch issues a very important update which puts things in perspective. We are going to see a repeat of developments in VH in the Hall messes in spite of considerable opposition.
2017-10-31: An IITK alumni has prepared a note on the murky ownership of Sarovar hotels: The Ownership of Sarovar.
Please sign the (alumni) petition here, it continues to be still relevant.
- (Original: Why should you sign? See here). (For the present status, see a report here).
- A version of this petition was already send on 28th August, considering the urgency. But without continuing community pressure, the remaining workers may not get jobs, and the conditions in Visitors' Hostel may continue to degrade! See the summary of the situation here.
22nd August, 2017: We are now tracking a case on large number of dismissals in Visitor's hostel on this page.
Citizen Forum writes to director on the mass dismissals in Visitor's Hostel. Full letter here. 2017-08-22
Filed in Concerns > Punishments and dismissals > 2017-08 Mass Dismissals in Visitor's Hostel > on 22nd August, 2017.
A page in solidarity on recent protests around the conditions in Health Center, 2016.
Particularly see: Timeline of protests.
Filed in In Solidarity > on 19th Nov 2016
The telephone operator's case has been successfully resolved!
Please view this update to the alumni. July, 2015
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 21st July, 2015.
Consider signing the petition
on the issue of telephone workers. 30th August 2014
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 13th Sep, 2014.
Further communication on Telephone Operators' case, 30th July 2014
We made several more communications: to to director, IITK, to Orange, India (the contractor int this case), and to the alumni. These have been collected in this page above.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 30th July, 2014.
Sharing Enquiry Report analysis, 22nd June 2014
In context of construction related deaths in the campus, we did an analysis of various "reports" by institute committees. The same was communicated to the institute.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > Communications on Safety > on 30th July, 2014.
Hamara Manch organizes an event in memory of Mukul Sinha. 1st June 2014
Mukul Sinha was an alumni of IIT Kanpur and PRL, and a well known activist who died of lung cancer on 12th May, 2014 at the age of 63. Note that he was involved in the workers' cause at IITK, in particular being invited for the Open House on 3rd Feb, 2014 by Faculty Forum.
Filed in Efforts > Community Events > on 2nd June 2014.
25th April, 2014: The page Telephone Operators' case under Appropriation of daily wages is updated with more details.
25th April, 2014: A new grouping Communication on Telephone Operators' case created under Petitions and Protests.
Communication on Telephone Operators' case, 25th April 2014
We made several communications -- to director, to alumni/alumnae, and to alumni association board in the context of wage related issues of telephone exchange workers. These have been collected in this page above.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 25th April, 2014.
Privatization of hostel messes (issues and effects), 2005. Report of a course project for MBA-617. Filed in Efforts > Articles and Notes > on 25th April 2014
Hamara Manch update on GH1 Mess privatization, 22nd March 2014.
"If It Works, ‘Fix’ It: The Case of GH1 Mess"
Filed in Hamara Manch > Hamara Manch Updates on 22nd Mar 2014.
Hamara Manch update on the situation of Telephone Exchange workers, 20th Feb 2014
"The More Things Change the more they Stay the Same: The case of operators of Telephone Exchange"
Filed in Hamara Manch > Hamara Manch Updates on 20th Feb 2014.
Citizens' Fourm Letter to Shramik Sangh, 20th Jan 2014
supporting their struggle against exploitation by Ambuja-Holcim and ACC-Holcim (as elucidated in this release).
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 27th January, 2014.
Several communications updated and clubbed in Communications on Dress Code, last on 5th November 2013
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 12th December, 2013.
12th Dec, 2013: A new grouping Communications on Dress Code created under Petitions and Protests.
Rights of contract workers at IITK and the saga of David Thomas report, 10th December, 2013
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > Communications on David Thomas report. > on 11th December, 2013.
My visits to construction sites in November 2012
by a senior faculty member, IIT Kanpur. This report was made in wake of two serious accidents leading to deaths in late 2012. The report contains several pictures of so called "safety equipment" at IITK. You can also view the related picture gallery.
Filed in Concerns > Workplace atmosphere > Safety > on 25th October 2013
Alumni Association passes a resolution on workplace safety, a historic first. 18th October, 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > Communications on Safety > on 22nd October 2013.
Alumni comments on lack of concern for safety at IITK, October 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > Communications on Safety > on 22nd October, 2013.
Director's response on safety issue to an Alumnus who kindly shared it with it us, 7 October, 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > Communications on Safety > on 20th October, 2013.
10th Oct, 2013 The website now has a much easier to remember URL: http://iitkcf.appspot.com/.
Note that this redirects to the present website, and all URLs from before are also valid.
Ramkeshji, a skilled mason and one of the pillars of Hamara Manch, whose association dates to the formation of the group has died in a road accident, 3rd August 2013. Read this tribute and appeal from Hamara Manch and also an appeal from friends associated with Citizens' Forum.
Filed on 10th October 2013.
The Inspiring Legacy of Ramkesh Bhai A Tribute and a Pledge, 18th Sept 2013
This is a Hamara Manch update on the recent death of one of the workers who was a pillar for the group. Also a request for contribution to support the family, but do read the tribute.
Filed in Hamara Manch > Hamara Manch Updates > on 10th Oct 2013.
Citizens' Forum Letter to Alumni, Subject: No Safety Clauses in construction contracts at IITK, 13 September, 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 15th September, 2013.
5th Sept, 2013 The section Petitions and Protests is being reorganized and there is an attempt to club communications on same topics together.
For example, see Communications on ID Cards and Communications on David Thomas report.
Citizens' Forum Letter to Prof. In charge civil (and safety), IITK regarding Safety, 27 Aug, 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 5th September, 2013.
Regarding several arbitrary firings in mess and systemic issues, 4th Sept 2013
Includes the reports
Perils of ‘Hands off Policy’ in Hiring / Firing of Contract Workers: A case of mess workers, 30 July 2013.
Update on the Arbitrary Firing of Mess Workers, 4th Sept 2013.
These reports briefly capture the recent firing of mess workers in the systemic context and unravel the forces behind the same.
Filed in Concerns > Punishments and dismissals > on 5th Sep 2013.
Citizens's Forum Letter to Director regarding ID Cards (continuation), 15th August 2013
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 16th August, 2013.
Citizens's Forum Letter to Director regarding David Thomas report, 2nd August 2013
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 8th August, 2013.
DIR/IITK/2013/31 (On compliance of Labour Laws), dated 24th May 2013 and DIR/IITK/2013/59 (Corrigendum to previous order), dated 1st August 2013.
Briefly: Office orders by the institute broadly stressing to contractors that the labour laws should be followed and issuing a common proforma for ID cards.
Filed in Institute Actions > Official IITK Documents on 1st August 2013.
Citizen's Forum Letter to Director regarding treatment of Samtuliya Ji, Shri Ram Sharan's Widow, 16 July 2013
Subject: Urgent –Support for Late Shri Ram Sharan’s widow
(continuation of previous letter, highlighting issues like recovery of part payment which was earlier claimed to be "humanitarian")
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 19th July 2013
A rare opening of the house, Saumyen Guha, Eyes, June 2013.
A report on the Feb 2013 Open House in the campus magazine EYES, filed in Efforts > Articles and Notes on 12th July 2013.
Hamara Manch update on Compensation for Ram Sharan’s Family, 7 July 2013
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 7th July 2013.
Briefly: Samtuliya has received part payments, but still not all! And she will need (at least!) one more trip.
Citizen's Forum Letter to Director regarding treatment of Samtuliya Ji, Shri Ram Sharan's Widow, 25 June 2013
Subject: Urgent –Support for Late Shri Ram Sharan’s widow
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 25th June 2013
Hamara Manch update on Compensation for Ram Sharan’s Family, 20 June 2013.
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 20th June 2013.
Briefly: Half a year after the death, the compensation has still not reached the family which is being made to go round the bureaucratic circles!
Letter to director regarding ID Cards, 15 June, 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 20th June, 2013.
1st June, 2013 A new section हमारी चौपाल हमारी बात (Hamari Chaupal, Hamari Baat).
We intend to share a recently launched newsletter by workers and friends from Hamara Manch in this section, see this welcome message.
Hamara Manch launches a newsletter, 1st June 2013.
Filed in Hamara Manch > Hamara Manch Updates > on 1st June 2013. The newsletters will be collected in a new section हमारी चौपाल हमारी बात.
Letter to Dean of Resources and Alumni on the recently implemented uniforms for sanitation workers, 30 May, 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 31st May, 2013.
Letter to Director regarding compensation to Shri Ram Sharan's widow, 29 May 2013.
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai > on 30th May 2013.
Letter to Director on various issues, particularly grievance redressal mechanism, 22 May 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 26th may 2013.
Contract Workers at IITK: An assessment of the present situation, May 2013.
An update from Hamara Manch, filed in Hamara Manch > Hamara Manch Updates on 17th May 2013.
2nd May, 2013: The Articles and Notes page now includes a section for creative pieces.
Beginning with आप को हमारे दुःख का अहसास क्यूँ हो (Ashok Gupta, April 2013) and फोटो (Manali Chakrabarti, September, 2012).
2nd May, 2013: the page EPF, ESI and Workers' Cess has been updated with several reports.
We also communicated a detailed report to the administration in May 2013 on EPF. We are not sharing the report here to avoid possible identification/victimisation of the workers, but several details are available on the said page.
Study of Human Resource Management of SIS Security Agency at IIT Kanpur, April 2013.
A course project for MBA616 (January-April semester, 2013), filed in Articles and Notes on 26th April, 2013.
Admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya for all children, 21 April 2013 concerning denial of admissions to children.
Filed in Workplace atmosphere > Amenities > Denial of legitimate space to workers' children on 26th April, 2013.
1st April, 2013: A new section Community Events has been created.
Initial reports on Open House and Interaction session with Mukul Sinha.
Five alumni associated with Citizens' Forum visit the campus, March 2013.
Filed in Visits and related reports on 1st April 2013. The page contains several meeting reports with workers, students, faculty, community members and administration. We particularly recommend looking at the one with the director.
Faculty Forum organized Open House on workers' issues. Feb 3rd, 2013.
It led to the following resolution being adopted: Open House 2013 resolution. Filed in Efforts > Community Events > on 1st April 2013.
Hamara Manch organized Interaction session with Mukul Sinha. Feb 2nd 2013.
Filed in Efforts > Community Events > on 1st April 2013.
Responsibilities of Institute (Principal Employer) towards Contract Workers, Feb-2013.A report prepared by President, Alumni Association with help from alumni associated with Citizens' Forum (including a labour lawyer), filed in Visits and related reports on 12th Feb 2013.
Condition of Contract Workers at IITK 2012, Dec-2012 Filed in Efforts > Visits and related reports on 26th Dec 2012 A comprehensive report by President, Alumni Association to Director, IIT Kanpur
Citizen's Forum Letter to Director IITK regarding the shabby treatment faced by Shri Ram Sharan's widow, 23rd Dec 2012
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 24th Dec 2012
An update on Ramsharan’s Compensation by Hamara Manch, 22nd Dec 2012
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 23rd Dec 2012
Briefly : the compensation has still not reached the family, even as they are made to run about for documents each time being told to get some more of them. This is the third time they will need to travel 1000 kms one way to get some more documents. This even as they cope with the loss of a close family member who died due to institute's negligence, working for the institute, in the institute.
Email circulated by the DIrector, IITK in the context of quick deaths in 2012, 19th Dec 2012.
Filed in Institute Actions > Official IITK Documents on 19th Dec 2012.
Malaise of arbitrary firing and baithki at IITK campus, 18th Dec 2012.
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 19th Dec, 2012
regarding the abusive use of arbitrary firing and forced temporary suspensions.
Hamara Manch Update on Ram Sharan’s Death, 13th Dec 2012
Filed in Concerns > Deaths and injuries > Death of Shri Ram Saran Rai on 13th Dec 2012
Subject: Death of construction worker
A letter to the new Director from President, Alumni Association, 27th Nov 2012,
Filed in Efforts > Petitions and Protests > on 2nd Dec, 2012
in context of two deaths in 2012, but on issues concerning contract labour in general.