AITUC memo seeks solution to street vendors' issue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 30 2022:
All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur State Committee (AITUC/MSC) has submitted a memorandum to MAHUD minister Y Khemchand requesting immediate intervention and solution to the issues besetting street vendors of the state.
The memorandum signed by AITUC/MSC general secretary L Sotinkumar, while pointing out that Khwairamband Bazar is a business hub and main market area, said poor people from the hills and the valley have been sustaining their families by selling items in the market.
The street vendors have been selling seasonal vegetables, fruits and other essential items in and around Khwairamband market for the last 20 years, it said.
Alleging that police and representatives of Imphal Municipal Corporation have been collecting illegal tax and tips from the poor street vendors, the memorandum explained that as per the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014, protection should be given to street vendors during eviction or relocation.
However, as the Act is not implemented in the state, there is no vending zone and the hawkers are indulging in vending activities in the city.
Though the government should form a vending committee as per the provision of Manipur Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules 2016, it is yet to form the committee, it contended.
According to Section 38 of the 2014 Act, the state government should initiate schemes within six months of implementing the Act, the memorandum further pointed out, and demanded the government to set up Town Vending Committee; roll out a scheme under same Act; carry our identification and issuing of license/identity cards to street vendors; identification of vending and non-vending areas; allow street vendors to sell their items in the large vacant spaces on the first floor of Ima Market.
Fulfilling the above demands will mitigate some of the problems faced by the street vendors, it added.
AITUC/MSC also urged the Governor to look into the matter and alleviate the plights of the poor street vendors of the state.