Street vendors to hold nationwide demonstrations on Saturday

National Association of Street Vendors of India will stage a nationwide protest on August 18 against the delay in tabling the street vendors’ bill in the Parliament. The law ministry has already passed the bill.

The draft of Street Vendors’ (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, prepared by the Union ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation, has been endorsed by the Law Ministry, the organisers said. It is awaiting the Union Cabinet’s approval, before being introduced in Parliament.

“We have followed several cabinet meetings. However, approving the bill has been on the backburner. In the last cabinet meeting the bill was finally listed for discussion. But cabinet members found discussing about spectrum pricing more important,” said Ranjit Abhigyan, program manager, NASVI.

Under the proposed law, anyone over 18 years can apply and register as street vendor on the payment of a one-time fee. Once registered, they will be given identity cards entitling them to sell their wares in specified vending zones.

Besides, the draft law mandates municipalities to set up restriction free vending zones or night bazaars for vendors. The discussions of a central bill on street vendors have been going on since 2009.

The members will also protest against ‘anti-street vendor provisions’ in the Food Safety and Regulation Act and the fresh government attempts to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) entry retail. 

“In the former bill, if the food sold by a vendor is found to be unhygienic, the vendor can be fined between Rs 50,000 and Rs 5 lakh without any notice or jailed for up to six months. But  there can be reasons like civic body not giving water and electricity facilities,” added Abhigyan. 

The protesters claim FDI in retail will end job opportunities for small-time shopkeepers and street vendors.