If Parliament passes a bill this session, 3 lakh illegal hawkers will get the right to remain on Mumbai’s streets. At present, there are 15,500 street vendors with permits in the city.
Union housing and urban poverty alleviation minister Ajay Maken, who was in the city on Tuesday, said that the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2013, was likely to be passed in the Budget session, which mandates that every local body grant hawking licences to 2.5% of the city’s total population.
“In order to regulate traffic, pedestrian movement and ensure the right to livelihood for the informal sector, it will be mandatory for all state and local bodies to grant licences and plan hawking pitches,” said Maken.
By legalising street vending, municipal corporations will also be able to generate revenues, he said. However, citizens said the move would add to the problem.
“Allocations should be on the basis of the city’s area,” said Vidya Vaidya, Citispace activist.