JOIN USStreet vendors set deadline for Corporation
The Karnataka State Street Vendor’s Association has set a week’s deadline for Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to conduct a survey of street vendors in the city and permit them to continue their trade. Failing which, the association will stage a massive protest in front of the MCC on June 8.
The decision was taken at a convention, organised by Mysuru Street Vendors Association, held in the city. The association has also demanded that the MCC permit them to operate from the same places from where they were evicted.
Violation
Speaking at the convention, state vice-president of the association Sunil Kumar Bajal said, the MCC was violating Supreme Court judgements, which have made provisions for street vendors to practice their trade.
“About 2.5 crore people earn their livelihood by doing business on the streets and footpaths. However, the MCC has evicted them by violating several laws, putting the livelihood of several families at stake. The MCC should pay damages towards the financial losses suffered by street vendors due to eviction,” he said.
He alleged that the vendors were being harassed by both Police personnel and local thugs, who demand a regular payment from the vendors. “As per the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, the civic bodies should conduct a survey of street vendors under their limits. But, the MCC has failed to do so. Till hawkers zone are notified for the city, the vendors should be allowed to operate at the same places,” he said.
Right denied
CPM leader Balaram alleged that the eviction drive was conducted in full knowledge of the elected representatives in the city. Despite the poor condition of street vendors and their families, they have been denied their right to livelihood. The MCC assured them of providing alternative arrangements 20 days ago, but nothing has been done till date, he said.
DH News Service