Latest news with #NASVI
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
NASVI cries foul over eviction of street vendors
The National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) on Thursday condemned the eviction drives being carried out by authorities in the Capital and demanded 'proper enforcement of the Street Vendors Act, 2014'. Addressing a press conference, Arbind Singh, national coordinator of NASVI, highlighted the plight of the vendors who have been affected by the eviction drives. According to Mr. Singh, since April 28, about 20,000 vendors have been evicted as part of the authorities' cleanliness mission. He alleged that vendors' kiosks were also forcibly removed. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi did not respond to requests for comment on the issue.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Stall wars: 11 yrs since law was framed, street vendors demand space in city
New Delhi: Nearly 300 women turned up at NDMC's Convention Centre on Thursday from Sarojini Nagar, Trilokpuri, Madanpur Khadar, Rohini, India Gate and Harkesh Nagar in response to a call by the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI). While the world marked May 1 as International Labour Day to honour workers, this gathering met to observe the 11th anniversary of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 — and to ask questions. Before the event started, snatches of conversation filled the room about evictions, vending certificates, hawking zones, microloans and much more. But one common anxiety loomed over all: "Kab rehri utha lenge, pata hi nahi chalta (We don't know when they will seize our vends." Nazma, 49, sold crisps, namkeen and sweets near Max Hospital and RG Square Mall. "There were dozens of us. Then one day, after a scuffle, we were told not to put up our stalls for two days. That turned into a week. It's 11 months now," she said. "I have this vending certificate but what's the point if there's no vending zone? Ghar chalana mushkil ho gaya hai." Rani, another vendor, recounted how her stall was demolished in the runup to the G20 Summit in 2023. "I sold chips on Mathura Road. I'm a single mother and want to educate my kids. But higher education? Not possible. Where will the money come from? At present, I just sneak by with a stall near my house and manage somehow. I have a vending certificate but it hasn't got me anything." The anniversary of the legislation was almost forgotten in the airing of grievances and lived experiences — from fresh vending surveys and harassment allegations to hawking zones and town vending committees. Kanchan, 45, who sold samosas and jalebis at Sarojini Nagar Market, muttered, "Kisi din adhikariyo, kisi din police. People say we block footpaths, but how can we feed the mouths if we aren't given any space?" by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Is Reported To Have Read Every... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Even those with designated vending zones have found the ground reality. Lipi, in her forties, who ran a cold drink stall near India Gate, said, "First, we had no zone. Now we have, but it's the same. We bring items to sell and half are confiscated by the authorities. What's the point?" Speaking on behalf of the vendors, Arbind Singh, national coordinator, NASVI, said, "The street vendors are called encroachers when they don't sit at their designated places. But what if they haven't been given any place at all? Recognition through the Street Vendors Act was a milestone, but implementation is where the real work lies." A fresh survey of street vendors is under way. Around 75,000 street vendors were identified in a 2022 survey, but NASVI and other vendor bodies estimate the actual number in Delhi to be over five lakh. The women submitted a 10-point charter of demands, among them being inclusion in the ongoing vending survey, designation of vending zones by MCD, access to clean toilets and water, protection from police harassment, financial support through e-cards and banking linkages, representation in Town Vending Committees and recognition of thee right to work with dignity and safety. Also present were Gavali Parag Harshad (Union ministry of urban affairs), Ashwini Lal (office of development commissioner, MSME), Dr Debolina Kundu (National Institute of Urban Affairs), Delina Khongdup (National Commission for Women), Neeraj Kumar (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), Anil Chopra (Wingify Foundation) and Dr Taruna Saxena (Nestlé India).
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NDMC survey: Street vendors fear ‘exclusion'
New Delhi: Street vendors operating in prominent locations of Lutyens' Delhi — including Connaught Place , India Gate, Regal, and Palika — fear being barred from setting up stalls, a move they say threatens their livelihoods and violates the National Capital Territory of Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2019. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Arbind Singh of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) alleged that vendors in these areas were overlooked during the official survey process by vending committees. "NDMC can designate vending and non-vending zones later, but under the Act, all vendors must first be surveyed and included. Skipping areas amounts to denying vendors their right to exist," he said. As per Section 8.4 of the scheme, a thorough survey and GPS-based demarcation are mandatory before declaring any area a vending or non-vending zone. Singh noted that NDMC has so far surveyed only 1,400 vendors, while a previous MCD invitation drew responses from 5,600 applicants. "Declaring any area non-vending before completing the survey is arbitrary, illegal, and unjust, and denies vendors their right to livelihood and representation," he added. Responding to the concerns, NDMC stated that the survey is still underway and the Delhi High Court has been apprised of its status. "It is being conducted as per the relevant Act, rules, and scheme," said an NDMC official, though no details were provided regarding potential area exclusions. The street vendor community is demanding full transparency in survey completion and GPS mapping. "If authorities continue to ignore the 2019 Scheme and violate vendors' rights, we will resist and defend their livelihoods and dignity," NASVI asserted in a statement. Meanwhile, Atul Bhargava, president of the New Delhi Traders Association, maintained that Connaught Place is a no-vending zone per Supreme Court orders and said the matter is being pursued in the HC.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
What's cooking on Delhi streets? Electric stoves, push for sustainability, and some myth-busting
Flames licking hot bhaturas, chowmein, and parathas may soon be replaced by the gentle hum of an electric cooker on the streets of Delhi. The National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) is pushing street vendors in Delhi to switch to e-cook stoves and has tied up with Finovista, a consulting firm based in Delhi. Arbind Singh, national coordinator of NASVI, said, 'Street vendors are not just food providers; they are innovators and entrepreneurs; through clean e-stoves, we are upgrading their tools and also dignifying their profession. We believe this initiative will set a new benchmark for preparing and serving street food in India's cities.' He added, 'This initiative aligns with India's broader vision of promoting sustainable livelihoods, reducing carbon emissions, and improving food safety standards in urban areas. It also reinforces the critical role that street vendors play in the urban food ecosystem and recognises their potential as agents of change in the climate action space.' Officials said the idea is to provide vendors with carts equipped with electric stoves. Sheetal Rastogi, founder of Finovista, said, 'In Indian families, we often store induction cookers in our cupboards instead of using them. But more than 50 per cent of the population already have electricity connections, and we will look for this challenge after getting all vendors involved.' Meanwhile, Singh said gas cylinders are already banned for street vendors in Mumbai due to safety concerns. 'E-cookstoves are safer and better for the environment, and I urge the government to support and encourage their adoption.' 'If vendors adopt these technologies, others will also follow. Myths like food not tasting good or cooking taking longer on electric stoves will break. In the pilot programme, we have trained 250 vendors, and we aim to reach many more. We have already requested the government to provide e-pushcarts. We will also demand support in terms of loans and subsidies,' Singh added.
