BMC CLEARS 10,000 HAWKING PITCHES IN EAST, WEST SUBURBS

MUMBAI: The civic body on Friday approved more than 10,000 hawking pitches in Borivli, Kurla, Chembur, Dahisar and Malad, which will be allotted through lottery. The town vending committee approved the hawking pitches which are 1mx1m in size and had received approval from the zonal town vending committee (TVC) in September. The pitches will now be allotted to hawkers.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) formed the TVC in accordance with the Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending Act. Dayashankar Singh, one of the representatives from hawkers’ union on TVC, said, “We have opposed the pitches put forth by BMC. We have demanded that hawkers be provided with pitches at their existing places.”

The TVC also discussed allowing newspaper vendors within 150m of stations, licensing of Aarey milk stalls, among other issues, although no decision was taken. “The BMC wants to license and regulate Aarey milk stalls as it will help authorities with regularisation. The proposal regarding the same will be sent to the state,” said Mehta, who heads the TVC. As per the law, TVC must survey street vendors, issue them vending certificates, and decide on their relocation. The BMC has also formed seven zonal TVCS for better coordination. It comprises of representatives of NGOS, experts, civic officials and eight members of hawker unions.