Lockdown extension compels vendors to seek financial aid

NEW DELHI: With the lockdown in the city extended till May 24, street vendors and weekly market associations have asked the government for financial assistance, arguing that many of them have been out of work for over a month and are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

The state government has previously announced ₹5,000 financial aid to taxi and auto drivers and construction workers. Ramesh Kumar, president of South Delhi Weekly Bazaar

Union, said, “We have been hit badly in the last month, because weekly markets are not allowed. When the government can give financial assistance to construction workers and drivers, then why not us?”

Street vendors, too, said they have been affected, since only fruits and vegetable vendors are allowed to set up stalls during the lockdown. Shyam Sunder (65), a street food vendor who lives in Jaitpur, said he borrowed money from relatives and friends to provide for his family.

“My son tested positive for Covid recently. Because there is no work due to the lockdown, I had to take a loan from my relatives for his treatment. Now, I don’t have enough money to feed my family,” said Sunder, who has a family of five.

Arbind Singh, national coordinator of the National Street Vendors Association of India said, “The government should think about vendors too. Their livelihood has been badly hit. Last year, the state and municipal corporations started a survey to identify street vendors. The state should at least extend benefits to those who have been surveyed.”