DKS statement on street vendors triggers protest

Recent statement by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar that henceforth only those street vendors identified by the survey will be allowed to hawk in the city, that too only in push carts, has mobilised street vendors and thousands of them are expected to congregate at Freedom Park on Tuesday, to protest against the government’s alleged moves to take them off the streets. 

Street vendor unions have taken serious objections to Mr. Shivakumar’s recent statements. “The survey has registered only 27,000 street vendors, while the civic body has given loans under the PM SVAnidhi scheme to over 70,000 street vendors in the city. The survey has deliberately kept out vendors to show lesser numbers. Now the government cannot turn around and say only these 27,000 vendors will be allowed to hawk. Moreover, Mr. Shivakumar wants to evict these registered vendors as well, giving them electric push carts, asking them not to occupy any permanent spots. This is in clear violation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014,” said S. Babu, president, Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors’ Association.

“Where is the space for the poor in Brand Bengaluru?” he asked, referring to the campaign initiated by Mr. Shivakumar. 

Street vendors are also upset over recent eviction drives by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials targeting street vendors. Recently eviction drives were held at Church Street, Jayanagar, Vijaynagar and St. John’s Hospital Road. “BBMP officials are seizing vendor’s material and demanding an undertaking that they will not sell at that place, to even return the goods. These are illegal pressure tactics,” said advocate Vinay Sreenivasa. 

“There is no social security or legal protection for unlisted vendors. Tuesday’s protest aims to demand issuance of ID cards, basic facilities in markets, and a halt to unlawful evictions,” Mr. Babu added.