JOIN USAlthough the street vendors’ associations are celebrating the tabling of Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending), Bill 2012 in Lok Sabha, the members feel that a clause on eviction notice in the bill should be re looked.
“No street vendor shall be evicted or relocated by the local authority from the site allotted to him unless he is given a seven-day notice for the same,” says the Bill.
According to Ranjit Abhigyan, programme manager, National Association of Street Vendors of India at least three months should be given for relocation.
“Firstly there should be no eviction notice. If at all a notice is served, the vendor should get three months time for relocation.
The vendor needs this much time to find another place where he/she can get a livelihood opportunity. His earnings should be similar or more in the relocated place,” said Abhigyan.
The cabinet cleared the draft Bill recently and it was tabled in Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The bill stated that anyone over 18 years of age can apply and register as street vendor on payment of a one-time fee. Once registered, the vendors will be given identity cards entitling them to sell their wares in specified vending zones.
Besides, it mandates municipalities to set up restriction free vending zones or night bazaars where vendors can sell their wares.
The bill also has clear provisions for protecting and promoting weekly and natural markets, besides grievance redressal mechanisms and transparency provisions among others.