Near 60K street vendors given IDs across State, step to permit legal hawking

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 19, 2014: Addressing a one-day workshop on implementation of Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014 organised by the Directorate of Municipal Administration, Mangalore City Corporation and National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) here on Saturday October 18,  Municipal Administration Director Dr Manjula has said that at least 56,000 street vendors have been identified across the State as per the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014.

 

She said that as per the Act, Town Vending Committees have been constituted in all the ULBs. The proposed Act makes it mandatory for civic bodies to create town vending committees comprising at least 40 per cent street vendors, which will take the responsibility for identifying the vending zones. Identity cards have already been issued to atleast half of the identified street vendors in the State.” She said that a committee under the chairmanship of Municipal Administration Director has prepared a draft rules for the street vendors act. The draft has already been submitted to the government. Once the draft is notified, then street vendors will have to give their suggestions for the final notification.

Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said street vendors can carry out business without fear or harassment from authorities with the ID cards. The Act ensures protection of the rights of street vendors and regulation of vending activity. Street vending is an integral part of city.

MLA J R Lobo has said that the authorities should take utmost care while rehabilitating the street vendors. There is a need to sensitise elected representatives on the act before implementing it.

NASVI National Coordinator Arbind Singh said that the Act will provide a relief to those who are involved in street vending.The Act provides security and protection of the livelihood of all street vendors who possess a vending certificate, which will be issued by the Town Vending Committee. While creating vending zone, the entire city should be taken into consideration, he added. NASVI is involved in the implementation of the Act in 42 ULBs in Bihar. Natural markets should also be focused on.

He said that there is a need to organise street food festivals to attract a large crowd. Every city should have a food street. He also emphasised on making street food standardised.