Mumbai ka Manifesto: Locals don't see hawkers' problem getting resolved

The hawkers' issue in Mumbai, which is lingering around for almost three decades now, is nowhere to see an immediate solution, as there is a doubt among citizens that there will be any positive development despite Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) crackdown on illegal hawkers in the city.

The Mumbaikars are supposedly concerned with a lackadaisical attitude of authorities in implementing the hawkers' policy.

In 2007, the National Hawkers in Policy was in place and during the same time, it was also said that the central government would be coming with a policy. Finally, in 2014, the Central Government enacted the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government had also published a draft notification in October 2015 and had invited suggestions and objections on it.

As per the Center's Act, the local body should have formed a Town Vending Committee (TVC) which will have representatives of hawkers, street vendors, traffic, bank, associations, and residents.

The TVC is supposed to conduct surveys to identify street vendors, issue certificates to eligible vendors, recommend areas to be declared non-hawking zones, identify sites and spaces for hawking, regulate timings among others.

At present, the TVC is scrutinizing hawkers' eligibility to get a license to do business.

Janardan Singh, president, All India Unorganised Workers Congress, who is championing the cause of hawkers in the city said that voter list of all hawkers must be published so that they can elect their representatives. "It is very unfortunate that off 99,000 hawkers surveyed, only 17,000 were found eligible," said Singh.

He added that the state government should intervene and direct the local body to follow the right process to streamline of hawkers in the city.

After Elphinstone Road incident where 23 persons killed, the BMC started removing hawkers from the railway station, foot-over-bridge and other public places.

The BMC also hiked fine amounts for illegal hawkers claiming it will discourage them from returning once they are evicted. Even, the civic body demarcated 150 meters from the railway station as no hawking zones.

Dayashankar Singh, President of Azad Hawkers Association, who has a different opinion said, "the state government should ensure that the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act should be implemented without any further delay as it will solve the hawkers' issue in the city." He added that hawkers should not be displaced arbitrarily.

"If hawkers are doing their business at one place for a long time, the administration should restrain from shifting them to other places it will bed hard for them to setup new business," said Singh.