Street vendors, including representatives of the street vending committee, have criticized the Trichy corporation for inadequate publicity regarding a special camp aimed at providing loans and other benefits to vendors across the city. The camp, which commenced on June 8, saw a low turnout, with some vendors claiming they were only informed on Wednesday, the final day of the event. In response to the poor response, the corporation, which asserts that vendors were already notified, has decided to extend the camp until June 12.
Details of the Lok Kalyan Mela
The camp, named 'Lok Kalyan Mela', is supported by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It was organized to offer low-interest loans of up to Rs 50,000 to street vendors, promote digital payment platforms for businesses, and conduct socio-economic profiling of family members. According to R Ganesan, a representative of the street vending committee, the camp aimed to simplify the loan application process, which can be cumbersome when vendors apply directly to banks. However, many vendors remained unaware of the initiative.
Vendor Concerns and Statistics
Trichy has over 6,000 street vendors as enumerated in 2024. The camp also seeks to sensitize street food operators about complying with food safety norms. The lack of awareness has been a major hurdle, with vendors expressing disappointment over the corporation's communication efforts.
The extension of the camp until June 12 provides an opportunity for more vendors to avail themselves of the benefits. The corporation has been urged to improve its outreach to ensure that all eligible vendors are informed in a timely manner.
