428 street vendors to get identity cards

Based on first phase of survey for rehabilitation

The city Corporation will issue identity cards to 428 street vendors in the first phase.

Though the local body received more than 1,800 applications, only 428 vendors submitted all the relevant documents till now. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, which came into force in 2014, had stipulated that local bodies issue licences to street vendors and set up designated vending zones.

A survey of the street vendors in the city as part of rehabilitating them under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) programme began in 2015. Based on this, a draft list of street vendors in the city, based on their locations and the nature of items sold, was prepared.

“Though we had identified more than 1,800 vendors, only 428 of them have submitted the documents till now. We have extended the last date for them till June 30. If they do not submit the documents by then, they will be included in the second or third phase. No one will be left out. In addition to this, we have another list of 1,800 vendors already for the second phase,” says an official who coordinates the NULM activities in the local body.

The survey process for the designated vending zones is still ongoing. Representatives of street vendors along with the local body officials are carrying out the survey. Six vending zones have been identified till now. Once the survey is completed, a town vending plan will be prepared, based on which the vendors will be rehabilitated. Till this process is completed, the vendors who get identity cards will continue to occupy their earlier locations.

Cannot encroach

“That they have got this identity card from the Corporation does not mean that they can encroach uopn footpaths and conduct business. They can continue with their trade as long as it does not create obstructions to pedestrians or vehicles. They also have to stay clear of the restricted zones,” said the official.