Vending zones soon in the city

Recently, the Supreme Court announced a ruling, in favour of the vendors. Now they will soon be coagulated and congregated into dedicated vending zones, where they will be entitled to a harassment and hassle free business

K Shashikirana Chary, project director, UCD, GHMC says, “We will have to conduct a proper survey and demarcate the various zones and areas where there are vendors in large numbers. Once that is done they will be shifted to a dedicated vending zone. The survey that will be conducted will be based on Common Interest Groups (CIG) like vegetable and fruit vendors in one area, push cart vendors to another, so on and so forth. But it is essential to first gauge the population of these vendors. Only after we get the TVC details will we be given the operational guidelines.”

Shopping in the city might be a treat for many as there are many street markets and vendors sprawling across Hyderabad, of which many of these vendors have been subjected to harassment and eviction by the law officials. But now, the Supreme Court has given these vendors a reason to rejoice in its latest verdict, which was passed a few months ago. The bill has also been passed by the Lok Sabha and ensures that all the street vendors can earn a livelihood without the fear of being harassed by the authorities.

Considering the significant contribution they make to the society, the supreme court in a ruling said that every city and town would create a conducive atmosphere for street vendors. The bill is aimed at providing them a means for carrying out their business in a transparent and fair manner. In this regard every city has to prepare itself with a Town Vending Committee (TVC) which must constitute of at least 40% vendors by December 5.

It has also given powers to urban local bodies which is in-charge of the smooth functioning of the ruling. In the city, the GHMC would be responsible for the TVC and other facilities. In this regard the GHMC will have to conduct surveys and identify various vending zones and prepare a street vending plan. They will also have to determine the natural markets in the vicinity.

Any area where the number of street vendors is higher than the holding capacity the TVC will be required to issue a notice to the GHMC. Also the street vendors will be issued a certificate of vending. It is also to be noted that till the licenses are issued no vendor can be evicted.

K Shashikirana Chary, project director, UCD, GHMC says, “We will have to conduct a proper survey and demarcate the various zones and areas where there are vendors in large numbers. Once that is done they will be shifted to a dedicated vending zone.

The survey that will be conducted will be based on Common Interest Groups (CIG) like vegetable and fruit vendors in one area, push cart vendors to another, so on and so forth. But it is essential to first gauge the population of these vendors. Only after we get the TVC details will we be given the operational guidelines.”

It is only after the reception of the operational guidelines that the GHMC will conduct the survey. Ramu, a tea vendor at Lalaguda, says, “I wouldn’t mind shifting but if all the vendors are crammed into one area what about the competition?” This question seems to be redundant in every vendor’s mind, but it is only after it comes to the operational phase, one can come to a conclusion.