“The street vendors’ struggle has reached a major milestone with the Law Ministry finally clearing the draft of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill,” said National Association of Street Vendors of India national coordinator Arbind Singh.
In a statement, Mr. Singh said the Draft Bill, prepared by the Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry, would now go to the Cabinet for its approval before it was placed in Parliament.
“Licence system to go”
“Once passed by Parliament, the Central Law would prevail over all State municipal laws. It would go a long way in protecting vendors from harassment at the hand of municipal and police authorities. It would do away with the licence system that has become a tool to victimise and harass the vendors.”
Under the proposed law, 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 vendors can sell their wares,” he added.
