Latest news with #NationalAssociationofStreetVendorsofIndia
Scroll.in
24-06-2025
- Business
- Scroll.in
Delhi's street vendors aren't ‘illegal' – sweeping evictions violate rights, crush livelihoods
Late on May 17, a squad of the New Delhi Municipal Council moved in on Sarojini Market, popular for its chic fashion at reasonable prices, and razed more than 150 shops. It was in keeping with the large-scale, aggressive evictions of street vendors that the authorities in India's capital have intensified since April. Nearly 20,000 stalls in Delhi have been removed since the beginning of May, according to the National Association of Street Vendors of India. Many of the evicted vendors possess 'certificates of vending' – official documents that validate their right to sell goods in designated areas. The wave of street vendor evictions in Delhi has sparked a debate about the livelihood rights of informal workers. Legislative protections were established over a decade ago, but Delhi's street vendors find themselves in an increasingly precarious position. The growing tension between urban growth and the right to livelihood has raised serious questions about Delhi's commitment to fair and inclusive development. What is the issue In many cities around the world, street vendors are an important distribution channel of essential goods and services. Recognising their contribution to the economy, the Indian government in 2014 passed the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act to protect vendors' rights and regulate their activities. However, despite the legal protections afforded to vendors under this act, Delhi has witnessed many sporadic evictions in the last five years. Officials have cited a variety of reasons: that they are clearing encroachments or removing 'illegal structures' from public places, that this is necessary to execute beautification projects, that the vendors were on railway land, that the space they occupy is essential for road widening initiatives. These enforcement methods directly contradict the explicit protections guaranteed under the 2014 act, which prohibits eviction until proper surveys are completed and town vending committees are functional. The committee is a statutory body responsible for issuing vending certificates, identifying designated vending zones and resolving disputes. It includes representatives from civil society, government officials and street vendors. In Delhi, though the act was notified in May 2014, the rules and schemes required to implement it were not notified until April 2019. Several vendors have also reported that the regulations are being interpreted erroneously. Among these is the '30-minute rule', aimed at ensuring that mobile vendors can stay in one location for only half an hour. However, the authorities are reportedly applying the rule to stationary vendors and those who operate at designated weekly markets like Budh Bazaar, for whom it was never intended. These problems have led to a growing sense of fear and anxiety among the Delhi's vendors. Failed urban planning Street vending is the primary source of income for some of Delhi's most vulnerable people – migrants, women and those from marginalised communities. Street vendors often serve areas that lack convenient retail options. They add to the city's dynamism by stimulating economic activity across various sectors through supply-chain relationships with formal businesses. Delhi's street vendors offer everything, from fresh juices and various types of food to clothing, electronics, and other services. In doing so, they not only meet the consumer's needs at accessible prices but also add character to Delhi's public spaces. When vendors are evicted, they not only lose their merchandise but also their livelihoods. In some cases, their goods are confiscated and either never returned or returned in a damaged condition. The psychological toll of constant harassment by the authorities adds to the problem. Many vendors report being mistreated by the police and municipal officials, which erodes their dignity and diminishes their sense of security. Beyond law and enforcement, evictions like these also reflect deeper problems in urban development and planning. Street vendors are often seen as obstacles to beautification drives and development projects. Finding a way forward The current crisis facing Delhi's Street vendors indicates persistent tensions between informal livelihoods and formal urban governance. Moving forward requires proper enforcement of the existing regulations and a fundamental shift in how cities conceptualise informal commerce. Street vendors should not be treated as a problem or an afterthought in urban planning, but thoughtfully integrated into the city's larger structure with proper spatial allocations. Secondly, diversity among street vendors – stationary or mobile – should be recognised, enabling appropriate regulations. Thirdly, the previous government's promise to create vending zones with vendor input should be fulfilled. Vending zones should not be relegated to low-traffic areas where vendors cannot earn a living. Fourthly, town vending committees must be properly constituted with genuine and adequate vendor representation to empower them to coordinate properly between the official authorities and vendors. Lastly, certification provided by the government should be recognised, and widespread evictions should be administered in consultation with the vending committees. By acknowledging street vendors as legitimate stakeholders in urban development and their contribution to the informal economy, Delhi can develop a more inclusive environment that serves all its citizens.
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
08-05-2025
- Time of India
Vendors are being evicted and harassed, claims forum
New Delhi: National Association of Street Vendors of India on Thursday alleged that street vendors were being "systematically evicted" from various areas across the city. Since April 28, the vendors are facing harassment by the authorities concerned, it claimed at a press association further alleged that even vendors possessing valid vending certificates were being removed. "This has been happening despite the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which establishes the legal framework and protections for street vendors against unlawful evictions and harassment," said the association's national coordinator Arbind Singh."We were hopeful that with the newly elected govt, the situation would improve, but nothing happened," Singh to the association, the street vending act clearly distinguishes street vendors into three categories: stationary, mobile and weekly. However, every street vendor is being treated like a mobile vendor, it alleged. The vendors fear that these ongoing drives would deprive them of getting their names included in the ongoing survey. "These two parallel actions—doing a survey on one hand and removing vendors on the other—are contradictory to each other and can't go together," stated the the conference, Suman Lata, a 55-year-old woman street vendor from Rohini, claimed that she was evicted from the area and constantly being threatened by the local officials. Ajay Poddar, a cloth vendor from Civil Lines, further alleged that his goods were not returned despite several a tea vendor from Shahdara who claimed to be vending since 2008 and holding a valid licence, was "forcefully evicted" last week. "My goods were confiscated and have not been returned yet," he MCD official said that action was being taken against encroachments on roads and public places to avoid inconvenience to others. "There is no specific or targeted drive being carried out by the civic body," he was no reaction from police in this connection.
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.
