Vendors seek central law to govern them

About 25,000-odd vendors across the city on Thursday demanded a central law on vending to protect their livelihood, especially in view of the constant threats by civic agencies and police personnel.

About 25,000-odd vendors across the city on Thursday demanded a central law on vending to protect their livelihood, especially in view of the constant threats by civic agencies and police personnel.

The vendors, under the banner of National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), have threatened to stage protest at the parliament in August if a bill to this effect is not brought in the monsoon session.

“The inspector from Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) send vendors to the police stations. The beat constables, in turn, harass them to no end. Now allowing the vendors to sell their wares is a clear human right violation,” said Arbind Singh, national coordinator, NASVI.

The association pointed out that the civic bodies have a ‘policy’ each for vendors under which they allot tehbazari.
Referring to the Supreme Court judgment in ‘Gendaram vs Others’ case, the vendors lamented over the fact that the government failed to honour the court directive to enact a law by June 30.

“The vendors from other states too would join Delhi vendors on August 18,” Singh said.

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