The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to follow the Ahmedabad pattern for relocating the evicted hawkers in and around Kolhapur in a bid to avoid any confrontation between the local body and hawkers' union.
This was decided at a meeting between the KMC Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Prasanna–Bidari and the representatives of hawkers' union.
Leaders of political parties, who had backed hawkers in their recent agitation for relocation, were present.
Ms. Bidari pointed out that one institution dealing with issues facing local self-government bodies had solved the hawkers' issue at Ahmedabad and the same institution would be asked to carry out a survey of Kolhapur city and recommend a relocation plan so that it would be in the interests of both the parties.
Meanwhile, hawkers were expected to carry out their activities without obstructing traffic in the city. The hawkers' carts which were confiscated would be returned, she said.
It was suggested at the meeting that a survey and a plan prepared earlier in consultation with the KMC, police and hawkers' union should be considered while preparing the new plan.
