Rights of Street Vendors discussed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 05 2013:
As part of the ongoing campaign in connection with observance of International Fortnight Protesting Violence Against Women, several organizations including Khwairamband Keithel Lambigi Mataida Potfam Fambi Lup, Women Action for Development (WAD), United NGOs Mission Manipur, North East Dialogue Forum, People Platform Secretariat, Conflict Widow Forum, New Life Foundation, Self Support Group and Village Widow Co-ordinating Committee jointly organised a discussion session on the 'Rights of Street Vendors' at Manipur Press Club here today.
Delivering the key note address of the programme, Sobita Mangsatabam, secretary of WAD, pointed out that many street vendors in Khwairamband Keithel are sole bread earners of their families.
No one like to work as a street vendor but they have come out as they have no other better options for earning their livelihood.
So, the rights demanded by street vendors are reasonable and legitimate.
While speaking on the topic of 'The Fate of Street Vendors and their Rights', Dr Dhanabir Laishram, social scientist, noted that the Act which ensures protection of street vendors was passed by Lok Sabha in 2012 and subsequently it was adopted in Manipur on September 6, 2013 .
He recalled that the demand of rights of street vendors started way back in early 1980s and that the ambitious Bill was finally passed after a gap of 30 years in the State giving a new lease of life to the street vendors.
UNobokishore, secretary of UNM-M and L Sevananda, Advocate, were also present and spoke on the topics of 'Why the Numbers of Street Vendors are increasing in Manipur' and 'Rights of the Street Vendors with Special Reference to the Supreme Court of India's Verdict' respectively.