The persistent failure of city authorities to implement a crucial law designed to protect street vendors has created a cycle of chaos, impacting not just the vendors themselves but also the daily flow of traffic and pedestrians. Despite the existence of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, inaction has left this vital sector of the urban informal economy in a state of legal limbo and constant hassle.
The Legal Shield That Remains on Paper
Enacted to safeguard the livelihoods of millions, the Street Vendors Act mandates the formation of Town Vending Committees (TVCs) and the creation of designated vending zones. Its core purpose is to balance the rights of vendors to earn a living with the need for orderly public spaces. However, in this city, the law has largely remained a document of intent rather than a framework for action. The required surveys to identify legitimate vendors and allocate spaces have either not been conducted comprehensively or their findings have not been acted upon.
Consequences of Civic Inaction
This administrative paralysis has direct and visible consequences on the ground. For the street vendors, the lack of legal cover means operating under the constant threat of eviction, fines, and harassment. Without designated spots, their daily work is fraught with uncertainty, affecting their income and security.
For the general public, the fallout is equally tangible. The absence of regulated vending zones leads to haphazard encroachments on footpaths and roads. This significantly disrupts pedestrian movement, forcing people onto busy streets, and exacerbates traffic congestion as vendors and their customers spill onto carriageways. The situation creates a contentious environment where vendors are seen as a nuisance rather than as legitimate contributors to the city's economy and character.
A Call for Implementation and Order
The solution, as outlined by experts and activists, is not punitive action against vendors but the earnest execution of the existing law. The path forward requires the city administration to expedite the formation of functional TVCs, complete the vendor identification process, and clearly mark vending and non-vending zones. This would provide vendors with the dignity of a recognized workplace and restore order to public spaces. The continued inaction, as highlighted in the recent editorial, serves no one. It perpetuates a conflict that has a clear legislative resolution, waiting to be enforced for the benefit of all city dwellers.
