The distribution of identity cards to street vendors in Aluva municipality under the National Urban Livelihood Mission has not gone down well with a section of councillors, though the ruling and Opposition parties remain more or less united in the issue.
When the matter was raised at the municipal council meeting on October 31, four councillors — including two Independents and one each of the BJP and the Congress — formally registered their discontent, citing alleged irregularities in identifying the 127 beneficiaries.
They questioned the veracity of the survey conducted to identify beneficiaries and the grounds on which 39 of them were recommended for issue of identity cards by the town vending committee.
“Street vendors, including those running roadside eateries, have proliferated, especially along the Aluva flyover, in the last one month, hindering even the beautification project of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL). In fact, a racket is at work subletting space, even to migrants, for street vending at a monthly rent of ₹750 to ₹1,500. The fact that both the Opposition and ruling members are united in the identity card issue reeks of an unholy nexus,” said Sebi V. Bastin, an Independent councillor.
Baseless charges
However, municipal chairperson Lissy Abraham termed the charge baseless, saying only those who had been in the business for the last three years with proper documents and cleared by the police had been included in the list. “The survey was conducted by Kudumbasree, which was then vetted by the town vending committee comprising two councillors each from the ruling and Opposition parties, representatives of various trade unions, assistant tahsildar and the municipal secretary. The grievance of the councillors was the result of their frustration, as they had not found place in the town vending committee,” said Ms. Abraham.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Rajeev Zacharia expressed satisfaction with the way the beneficiary list was drawn up. “Our stand that vendors who had come up near the Aluva market in less than a year should not be considered for identity card issue was also met. We feel that only eligible persons who have been in the business for at least three years have been considered as beneficiaries,” he said.
