RSVWA silver jubilee celebration
Call raised for regulation of street vendors, safeguarding their rights
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 18 2023:
Road Side Vendors' Welfare Association has made an appeal for the enforcement of the "Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street V ending Act, 2014" to the Manipur Government in order to regulate street vendors and safeguard their rights.
Kshetri Tama, president, RSVWA made the appeal during the silver jubilee celebration of the Association held at Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal today.
Speaking as the functional president of the ceremony, Kshetri Tama asserted that the Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending Act, 2014 was passed in the Parliament on February 20, 2014 and the Supreme Court had since issued a directive to enforce this Act.
He added that West Bengal, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have implemented their own version of this Act, policy and scheme suitable to their respective states.
He then opined that the State Government can adopt a similar approach in Manipur.
The RSVWA president also spoke against alleged excessive actions of the police towards the street vendors and causing damage to their wares.
Stating that the State Government has built the Temporary Market at Khwairamband Keithel, Lamphel Super Market and many women market sheds in various districts in recognition of the economic contribution of street vendors, he lauded the Government's effort.
In this regard he also mentioned that a market shed with the capacity for 1600 vendors constructed at Old Assembly Road will be inaugurated soon.
However, despite such positive steps, a lack of regulation of street vendors and failure to enforce the measures of the aforementioned Act has resulted in the occurrence of frequent skirmishes at newly constructed market sheds, he opined.
Addressing the gathering, Pheiroijam Nando Luwang, president, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) maintained that at a time when imported products are rampantly available in market places, it is heartening to see street vendors selling local and indigenous products.
He added that AMUCO has always supported the street vendors' and pressured the Government to take up the necessary steps to resolve their issues from time to time.
It may be noted that social activist RV Son Zimik and Anita Das, general secretary, All India Women Hawkers' Federation also graced the silver jubilee celebration of RSVWA as guests of honour and delivered speeches on the occasion.
Other dignitaries present at the function include Ali Baqri, working president, National Hawker Federation; Saktiman Ghosh, general secretary, National Hawker Federation as well as 53 representatives of streets vendors' associations from 18 states including Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.