Street vendors protest, want ID cards before poll code kicks in

Nearly 300 street vendors held a demonstration on Wednesday, urging the BBMP to issue them identity cards before the model code of conduct comes into effect. The protest was withdrawn after the BBMP promised to look into the demand.  

S Babu, president, Bengaluru Jilla Beedhi Vyapari Sanghatanegala Okkuta, earlier accused the  BBMP of forcing them to protest or go to court for the ID cards.  

Lakshmi Devi, Deputy Commissioner, Welfare, BBMP, said: "Street vendors need a separate nodal officer. We will hold a meeting with Mayor R Sampath Raj and BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad on the protesters' demands.  We will see what best can be done and try to complete the process before the model code of conduct comes into effect."

The civic body had earlier promised to conduct a survey of all street vendors in the city, recognise them, issue them identity cards and designate a place for them so that they can do business without being accused of footpath encroachment or face eviction by police. The BBMP also promised to allot them a designated place that will have washrooms and other facilities. It carried out the survey but recognised only 25,000 street vendors. The okkuta, however, claims the number is no less than two lakhs.