The vendors and shopkeepers affiliated with Puducherry Nagara Vanigarsangam (Traders council) have called for a strike until alternative arrangements are made to protect their livelihood.
Puducherry Traders Committee and various street vendors on Wednesday had called for a meeting to discuss the consequences of the anti-encroachment drive by Puducherry municipality.
While shopkeepers in the meeting said that they are not against the ideas and intentions of the authorities for transforming Puducherry into a better city, and are ready to cooperate, they also wanted their livelihood to be taken care of and clear plan of relocation in place before traders were evicted.
Abdul Suban (Vice President- Puducherry Traders Committee) said that Puduchery can be “next Singapore’’ only if the small vendors are left to function as they pay proper taxes that contribute to Puducherry government’s revenue in large.
Ponnurangam (President of Action committee – Puducherry) says that these shops have been functioning over 25 years with proper trade licence, electricity and water supplies from the government and hence, calling these vendors as encroachers is inappropriate.
He also mentioned that over 10,000 families will be affected due to this drive.
The vendors are seeking a meeting/ discussion with the Lt. Governor and Chief Minister of Puducherry to press for justice and a proper solution.
