Law on vendors may get Cabinet nod today
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Almost after a year since United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council (NAC) recommended enactment of a Central law to protect the rights of more than 10 million street vendors, the government is now set to clear a legislative proposal in this regard from the housing and urban poverty alleviation ministry.
Informing that the proposed draft legislation — Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2012 — is high on the agenda of the Union Cabinet, which will meet on Thursday, sources said, “The law, once enacted, will go a long way in relieving the miseries of the street vendors, as it will do away with the existing licence system, which has been used by unscrupulous authorities to harass the vendors.”
In its recommendation for such a Central law, the National Advisory Council had argued that a Central law would prevail over all state municipal laws to the extent that they are inconsistent with the law for street vendors.
Hence the states would not be required to amend municipal and police laws, it had added. Even the Supreme Court had also directed the government to convert its National Policy for Urban Street Vendors into a law.
Under the proposed bill, anyone over 18 years can apply and register as street vendor on payment of one-time fee. Once registered, they will be given identity cards entitling them to sell their wares in specified vending zones.
Besides, it mandates municipalities to set up restriction-free vending zones/night bazaars where hawkers can sell their wares.
It will also help the authorities to regulate hawking activities in public spaces such as pavements, parks and thoroughfares.
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