JOIN USThe demand of the vegetable vendors for a place in the heart of the city has received a positive response from the City Corporation, which has provided them a temporary place at Mandipet.
The pushcart vegetable vendors had complained that the new APMC market at Antarasanahalli denies them business and that the vendors have to travel a long distance to open shop there. Some of them had also set up shop for the last few days on the street outside the Siddivinayaka Market, but were shifted from there on Saturday.
During a meeting with the Corporation on Monday, however, the vendors urged the authorities to provide them roadside space to carry on with their business, which has led the Corporation to let the vendors set up shop on the drains at Mandipet until further provisions are made.
Legislator Dr Rafique Ahmed appreciated the decision of the Corporation, but demanded that permission and space be given to 168 vendors to carry on business on the drain temporarily.
CPM district unit secretary N K Subramanya, CITU leader Syed Mujib and progressive activist K Dorairaju, who spoke on behalf of the protesting vendors, said that a law has been planned under the UPA government to protect the rights of the street vendors. The Supreme Court judgements too have been in favour of the vendors, they added.
The presence of APMC secretary Rajanna in the meeting, however, upset the vendors and leaders, who questioned the connection between the Committee and the City.
Commissioner Ashad Sharief said sites for mini markets had been identified behind the Anjaneya Temple at Chikpet, on MG Road, beneath the Upparahalli overbridge, and at Kyatasandra, where the vendors could shift and set up permanent stalls.
Mayor Lalitha, Opposition leader Sudhishwar, slum residents’ welfare committee president A Narasimhamurthy and CITU leader Naushad Sehgan were among those present at the meeting.