Delhi weekly mkts still shut, vendors say ‘lack of clarity’

nNEWDELHI: Even as markets across the city were allowed to open up in a staggered fashion last week, Delhi’s street vendors said a lack of clarity on the state government’s part has kept them from resuming weekly markets.

While Delhi government officials said weekly markets could reopen, provided they ensured social distancing, police said civic agencies would need to give vendors permission.

The Delhi government had ordered weekly markets to shut on March 17.

Some resident welfare associations (RWAS) and market associations demand that the government demarcate dedicated vending zones, in accordance with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

Usually, vendors in weekly markets usually line up their carts and shops in packed lanes, right next to each other, and attract large crowds, making social distancing a task.

The exact number of weekly markets in the Capital and vendors associated with them is not known. In fact, civic agencies are yet to begin surveys to identify genuine vendors in Delhi.

Street vendors are still to reopen their shops even in popular markets like Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Sarojini, and Lajpat Nagar.

Rajiv Kumar Gupta (45), head of a weekly market in east Delhi’s Madhu Vihar, said local authorities have asked them to wait till at least May 31. “There are 100-odd vendors in the weekly market we used to set up in Madhu Vihar, Mandawali, Vinod Nagar and other places across the week. We have now been told to wait till May-end,” Gupta said.

While the Delhi government’s order regarding relaxation in lockdown norms in the fourth phase explicitly mentions that markets can open while following an ‘odd-even’ arrangement, it does not mention weekly markets and street vending. However, the order also reads that all commercial and industrial activities that are not specifically prohibited by the guidelines will be allowed.

“Everyone is interpreting the order differently. As there is no mention of a ban on street vending or weekly markets, we thought we are allowed to operate. But we have been asked by the police not to start work,” said Satish Kumar, a vendor in Karol Bagh market and a member of the area’s Town Vending Committee.

Vendors in Narela too are yet to restart weekly markets.

Deepak Purohit, DCP (west), said, “They haven’t got permission from civic agencies yet.”

Monika Bhardwaj, DCP (north), said it is not possible to allow weekly markets since they generally operate in the evening, when complete restrictions on movement, except essential services, are in effect.

A senior Delhi government official aware of the matter said street vendors can start work, but have to ensure social distancing, and adhere to the odd-even sequence. “As for weekly markets, civic agencies have to devise a mechanism to ensure social distancing,” the official said.

Another senior government official affirmed that weekly markets can operate provided social distancing is ensured.

Arbind Singh, national coordinator, NASVI, said, “Vending zones should have been created immediately after the Street Vendors Act was passed, but are more important now as social distancing has to be ensured.”

The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) in Connaught Place has also requested the government to relocate vendors from the market as it is “impossible to ensure social distancing”, said Atul Bhargava, president, NDTA.

Civic agencies, meanwhile, are yet to decide on the matter.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has called a meeting next week to discuss the issue.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s mayor Sunita Kangra said, “It is difficult to maintain social distancing in weekly markets, and are not planning to give them permission immediately. But we are trying to work out a way these markets can open while ensuring social distance.”