Mangaluru: The MCC is set to convene a meeting to discuss demands raised by the street vendors recently evacuated. The announcement was the immediate fall out of protests by the CITU at MCC commissioner’s office.
Earlier CITU activists carried out a protest at commissioner’s office opposing the move of the commissioner, under whose order, many street vendors classified as illegal operators were evacuated from their regular vending habitat. The president of CITU on Thursday, addressing protesters said that, the MCC has failed to issue ID cards to the rightful vendors. He argued the move by the commissioner was unacceptable as it affects the livelihood of vendors who will slip into penury.
The state government had passed the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation on Street Vending) 2014 Act to provide security to the vendors. He argued that the government had assured to issue ID cards to the vendors but the MCC was not implementing the same on the ground. He also quoted National Policy on Urban Street Vendors, 2009 according to which promoting workers falling under unauthorized sector was mandatory.
He alleged that the MCC has snatched bread from the vendors while resorting to evacuation of the vendors. He demanded a meeting should be called to redress the grievances of street vendors. The protestors did not relent until officials declared that a meeting would be called on April 15. The MCC commissioner Hephsiba Korlapati Rani speaking to Newskarnataka.com said they had passed the orders stating vendors must not operate within the 100 meters periphery of traffic junctions in the city.
The order was issued considering all aspects which mainly includes ensuring the smooth traffic and avoiding accidents. “Two accidents were reported due to traffic congestion. This was caused by a few street vendors. Owing to this factor the MCC brought a stringent norm in place”, she said. She hinted that the MCC might not budge in this matter. The demands of vendors would be discussed in a meeting on April 15, she concluded.
