The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) identified 25 places, where food stalls can be run, on Wednesday.
C.G. Betsurmath, MCC Commissioner, told The Hindu that the MCC had identified 25 designated places and instructed vendors to operate from there. They have been instructed not to put up permanent structures. and to clean up the premises after the day's operations. The vendors would not be allowed to operate elsewhere, he added.
On May 13, the MCC cracked down on fast-food vendors at many places in the city, saying food sold on streets was a health hazard. The MCC reportedly launched the drive as it realised that food vendors were creating a hindrance to pedestrians and were polluting the environment.
Subsequently, street vendors led by Ramdas, former Minister, met Mayor R. Lingappa at the MCC office. The police resorted to caning to discipline the mob and as a result, eight vendors were injured.
Mr. Lingappa, along with the Commissioner, held a special meeting here on Tuesday and after a discussion with the representatives of the Footpath Vendors’ Association, agreed to set up designated areas.
However, the vendors’ association was unhappy with the decision as it felt that vendors would have to carry out business where people would avail their services. Bhaskar Srinivas Raje Urs, general secretary of the association, told The Hindu that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, under the National Urban Livelihood Mission, had instructed all civic bodies, including municipalities and corporations, to provide basic amenities to street vendors to carry out their businesses. But the MCC instead of providing facilities to street vendors, had evacuated them, he said.
Vending committee
Meanwhile, a 22-member Town Vending Committee (TVC) was constituted with the Commissioner as chairman on the committee. Additional Deputy Commissioner of MCC, Health officer, Joint Director of City Planning Authority, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Superintending Engineer (MUDA), Commissioner of Fire Brigade, and DCP (crime and traffic) are also in the committee. Seven representatives from the vendors’ association, including three women, are also part of the committee.
