'Civic bodies need to give go-ahead to vendor licences'

Civic agencies should ensure that all vendors are given pending vending licences so that they can earn a secured and dignified livelihood, said North Delhi Municipal Corporation mayor Azad Singh on Wednesday.

“Street vendors form the backbone of the city’s economy. Any attempt that weakens or intends to weaken this backbone must be resisted,” said Singh at a convention organised by the National Association of Street Vendors’ of India (NASVI).

At the event, street vendors’ leaders of over 50 markets in Delhi gathered in Gandhi Peace Foundation to discuss issues that affect them. “The convention was held in protest against continuing loot and terror unleashed by municipal agencies and police. We demand vending licences for all those who had applied to the former Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council in 2007,” said a NASVI member.

The association has also decided to hold similar meetings in Delhi every month to take stock of the situation, and chalk out strategies. “We passed a resolution demanding Delhi Police to lift entry restrictions to India Gate. Visitors and vendors should be allowed there till 11 pm every day,” said the member.

“We have submitted a letter to the police commissioner in this regard last week.”