Thiruvananthapuram: Discussions are under way in the civic body on how to implement laws facilitating street vending, Vanchiyoor Babu, chairperson of the Corporation's Development Standing committee, has said.
He was speaking at a convention of street vendors organised by the Kerala Street Vendors’ Forum (KSVF) and the SEWA Union here on Wednesday.
Mr. Babu said the government and the city Corporation were with street vendors. They would be included under the Life Mission and those who were homeless would be given houses.
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Street vendors who belonged to other States should follow the rules of the local body concerned. Those who sold food should obtain health cards.
It had come to the notice of the Corporation that certain 'mafias' were using street vendors to run multiple vending units and amassing profits through exploitation. Genuine street vendors should cooperate with the city Corporation to identify such mafias so that action could be taken against them.
Corporation councillor Pushpalatha said from being neglected and ill-treated to getting a law passed giving them protection, street vendors had come a long way. However, the law needed to be implemented to afford them a measure of protection.
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The city Corporation had always approached street vendors positively. A committee had been formed for looking into their issues. It was obvious that it was not possible to have a society that excluded street vendors. They were a part of society. However, certain zones should be set apart for them where they could be rehabilitated and facilities provided to them to carry on their trade without fear. The government would ensure that all organisations working for welfare of street vendors would be brought together within the ambit of the street vending law so that vendors could play their trade.
Sonia George, State general secretary of the SEWA Union, said street vending was an integral part of cultures across the world. In India, nearly 5 lakh street vendors were members of the SEWA Union. They had waged a long struggle to remove the perception that they were illegal workers and had encroached upon public spaces. Today, these self-employed people had succeeded in being recognised as workers. However, efforts for their rehabilitation in places suitable for them had a long way to go.
KSVF State joint secretary Manoharan, SEWA Union State committee members Seeta Dasan, and KSVF district unit president Binu spoke.