Applications from physically handicapped for free hawker stalls awaits approval

Hundreds of applications from physically handicapped seeking free hawker stalls are gathering dust at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The civic body is unable to scrutinise them as the state government is yet to approve the long-pending hawkers' rehabilitation policy framed by the PMC.

Under the policy, framed and submitted by the civic administration in 2007, reservation of 5% was made for physically and mentally handicapped. However, the state government asked the PMC to revise the policy, and a fresh policy was submitted in December last year.

"But even the revised policy is yet to be approved," said Ramesh Shelar, chief security officer of anti-encroachment department of the PMC that framed the policy.

"Reservation for physically and mentally handicapped exists in the new policy also, as per the state government directives. We have received many applications under this category and some stalls have also been built. But we cannot allot it until the policy gets formal approval," Shelar said.

According to the policy, a hawkers' zone with small stalls are to be formed and physically handicapped are entitled to a stall and an identity card. Some of the would-be beneficiaries are determined to make a respectable living for themselves.

Sandeep Jagtap of Gokhalenagar, who suffers from cerebral palsy, runs a hawker stall outside the popular Vaishali restaurant on Fergusson College Road, selling trinkets and friendship bands. A debilitating ailment, palsy has left him with multiple defects besides muscular and immunity problems that makes even basic limb movements a Herculean task for Jagtap.

Add to that, the fact that Jagtap's stall is unlicenced and he could be thrown out anytime.

"I was harassed a few years ago and even beaten up. But after seeing my state, the local police and civic officials allowed me to hawk my goods here. They have promised to not remove my stall, but getting a licence will secure it," said Jagtap, who supports his mother with his meagre income.

Dr Dilip Deshpande, president of Entrepreneurship development and rehabilitation centre for the handicapped (Edarch), said the hawkers' policy is a dire need for the handicapped. "Three of the 26 trained people from our institute applied for licenced stalls to put up fruit stalls and sell handmade products. The local corporator assured us to let them run unlicenced stalls, but we didn't allow that as we have seen some civic officials hitting people during encroachment drives. If one such episode happens, then they (handicapped) will lose confidence to work forever," he said.