Why in the News?
- Highlighted slow implementation of the Act by the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Launch of:
- PAiSA Portal Dashboard for interest subsidy processing.
- PM SVANidhi Mission Monitoring Portal to track the PM SVANidhi scheme.
Key Features of the Act
Rights of Street Vendors:
- Vendors have the right to carry out business as per the terms in the Certificate of Vending (CoV).
Duties of Vendors:
- Remove goods after the vending period.
- Maintain cleanliness, hygiene, and civic amenities.
- Pay maintenance charges.
Town Vending Committees (TVCs):
- Formed in each Local Authority.
- Composition: 40% street vendors, 1/3 women.
- Responsibilities: Identifying and allocating vending zones.
Survey of Vendors:
- Conducted every five years for issuing CoVs.
Ceiling on Vendors:
- Limit set to 2.5% of the population of a ward/town/city.
Grievance Redressal Committees:
- Chaired by retired judicial officers to address vendor grievances.
Release of Seized Goods:
- Non-perishable: Within two working days.
- Perishable: Same day.
Challenges
Implementation Issues:
- Only 17 states have grievance committees.
- TVCs are either not formed or lack proper representation.
Ceiling on Vendors:
- The 2.5% limit is insufficient for large cities.
Exclusion of Railway Premises:
- Railway lands are outside the Act’s purview, affecting many vendors.
Lack of Uniformity:
- Different states follow different rules, leading to inconsistencies.
Way Forward
Improved Implementation:
- Revise ceiling limits based on urban population.
- Establish vending zones near railways.
- Integrate street vending provisions into the Smart City Mission.
Welfare Measures:
- Issue Smartcards to vendors.
- Train police and local officials on vendor rights.
- Publish a Street Vendors Charter by TVCs for clear timelines.