To regulate the functioning of lakhs of street vendors, who set up shop in every nook and corner of the Capital, Delhi Government’s Urban Development Department is bringing a legislation ‘The Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood and Regularization of Street Vending) Bill 2013’.
The Bill is on the lines of Central Government’s Bill the Street Vendors (Protection of livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill was introduced in the lok Sabha by Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja in 2012 and it was referred to the Parliament Standing Committee.
The urban development department had brought the Bill before the Cabinet, but Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit advised that Delhi should wait for central government legislation on this issue. The street vendors Bill aims at protecting livelihood rights and social security of street vendors and regulation of urban street vending in the country and ensuring uniformity in legal framework for street vending across states and Union Territories. The measure also provides for setting up of vending zones for hawkers to sell their products with minimal restrictions and without fear of being fined by municipal authorities for vending in unauthorised areas.
According to proposal, street vending committee of local body to demarcate weekly markets and the size of vending site for each vendor will not be more than 6x4 meter open. The bill will also help the authorities to regulate hawking activities in public areas such as pavements and roads. The Bill seeks to empower local authorities to relocate street vendors if they cause nuisance or obstruct movement of general public after issuing a seven-day notice.
Every street vendor who fails to relocate or vacate the site allotted to him after the expiry of the notice period shall be liable to pay a daily penalty which may be determined by the local authority. As per the provisions of the Bill, anyone over 14 years can register with the Town Vending Committee. The Committee will issue identity cards to vendors to carry out business in allotted vending zones.