The Hindu : New Delhi News : NDMC plan to relocate vendors, squatters

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Sunday, Feb 17, 2008
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New Delhi

NDMC plan to relocate vendors, squatters

Manisha Jha

Under the plan a vending panel has been formed to demarcate vending and non-vending areas
It will dentify and provide space for squatting and hawking according to Master Plan norms

NEW DELHI: To rehabilitate squatters and vendors removed from their present locations in the Capital’s markets to alternative sites in a systematic manner, the New Delhi Municipal Council has worked out a vending scheme for the area under its jurisdiction incorporating provisions of the National Policy for Urban Street Vendors-2004.

Under the scheme, a vending committee comprising MLAs, municipal representatives, street vendors and squatters, traffic police and local police, market associations and residents’ welfare associations has been constituted to demarcate vending and non-vending areas in the NDMC area and identify and provide space for squatting and hawking according to norms laid down in the Master Plan for Delhi.

The committee would also provide for timing restrictions on urban vending in addition to a proper regulatory process, registration system, revenue collection as well as monitoring and corrective mechanism against defiance by vendors. It would also identify space for weekly markets and further estimate the needs of hawkers in residential colonies in consultation with residents’ welfare associations.

“The idea behind the scheme,” an NDMC official explained, is to provide and promote a supportive environment for street vendors to earn their livelihood and at the same time ensure de-congestion and maintenance of hygiene in public spaces and streets for free flow of traffic and pedestrian movement.”

“At present,” he added, “we are engaged in surveying the markets in the NDMC area to arrive at a list specifying the number of vendors and squatters in each market. This will be followed by a verification process to check the authenticity of squatters and vendors, after which we will endeavour to rehabilitate as many of them either in the markets or other sites according to their seniority and other criterion.”

According to a senior NDMC official, the civic body is also considering computerisation of the data-base to provide accountability in the process. “We have also recommended appointment of a judicial officer of Additional Director-General rank in the vending committee to maintain impartiality in the process,” he added.

Under the scheme, no squatting would be allowed in parks and areas covered under the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone as specified in the zonal development plan, areas in Rajiv Chowk and Indira Chowk (Connaught Place), around Supreme Court, Chanakyapuri foreign mission area and near metro railway stations. However, existing units like kiosks and stalls constructed by the civic body would be allowed to continue. Licences will be issued only to those hawking themselves in the vending areas and no vending will be allowed for bicycle and auto repair or for auto parts. Unlicensed auto workshops and encroachment by shop owners on streets and footpaths would also be removed.

The areas identified for vending would include private and residential colonies other than in non-vending areas, space near bus stops, markets other than Rajiv Chowk and Indira Chowk, regulated hawking outside schools, hospitals, India Gate, C-Hexagon and other public places and parks including those in non-vending areas.

Apart from spaces, genuine vendors entitled to registration and allotment under this scheme would also be given provisions for electricity, solid waste disposal. To check unauthorised hawking and squatting, the vending committee after police verification would register authorised squatters and hawkers and issue identity cards containing photographs of husband and wife, residential address and identified space for trade. There would be fresh registration every three years and no licensable trade except packed eatable items would be permitted by the NDMC.

The vending committee will also have powers to recommend imposition of fines on defaulters and cancel the registration of squatters.

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