The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will begin distributing QR code-based identity cards to eligible hawkers this week, nearly 12 years after a citywide survey was conducted. The exercise is expected to be completed within 10 days, with civic officials aiming to finish by June 15 even if delays occur.
Background of the Hawker Survey
The move marks the culmination of an exercise that began with the 2014 hawker survey but was delayed for years due to litigation and disputes over eligibility. The prototype of the identity cards, accessed by The Times of India, includes the hawker's name, survey form number, and details of the exercise that determined their identity.
A BMC licence department official stated: "We had begun distributing licence certificates to the 10,360 traditional vendors who had licences from 1979. When the BMC conducted a survey in 2014, 22,055 hawkers were found eligible, and we added them to the list. So, while 32,415 hawkers have voting rights in the BMC, identity cards will be issued to all 99,435 identified during the 2014 survey."
Purpose of the Identity Cards
The cards aim to provide official recognition to eligible hawkers under the Street Vendors Act. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special) Vinayak Vispute said: "This is only determining the identity of the hawker and not the eligibility. The card is being issued subject to the final decision of the Town Vending Committee (TVC), which will also decide on hawking and non-hawking zones."
Meanwhile, the formation of the TVC is in its final stages. The panel will include representatives from market associations, traders' bodies, resident welfare associations, and NGOs. In cases where multiple applications have been received from NGOs seeking representation, the BMC will decide the final nominees in consultation with the respective ward offices. Officials said there will be one central TVC and seven others for each zone. "The TVC's details will be sent to the state government, which will then notify it," an official added.
Political Pressure and Next Steps
On Monday, a Shiv Sena delegation led by Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadigaonkar and former MP Sanjay Nirupam met the civic chief to request speedy distribution of IDs. "Once only eligible hawkers are allowed, the hafta system will end," said Nirupam.
The BMC's initiative is expected to streamline hawking activities and curb illegal vending in Mumbai, providing a transparent system for street vendors.
