Delhi first state to implement Street Vending Act: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the national capital will soon become the "first state" to implement the Street Vending Act, 2014, to provide legal protection to street vendors and hawkers.

Street vendors and hawkers play an important role in the economy of every country and city. Compared to other countries, India has not taken steps to organise them or give them legal status, he said.

"Because they do not have a legal status, whatever they do is termed illegal. That's why they are harassed by every department, be it the police or civic bodies. People extort money from them," the chief minister said, adding as street vending is not streamlined, it leads to traffic snarls and pollution.

"Delhi will become the first state to implement the Act. Under it, town vending committees have been set up and a notification has been issued," he said.

Twenty-eight town vending committees have been set up, each having 30 members.

Twelve members have been elected from among street vendors and hawkers while the rest are officials who have been nominated, Kejriwal said.

Civic bodies have been asked to start conducting surveys to identify vendors and vending spots through their respective town vending committees in 10 to 15 days.

Those who have been removed from vending spots over the years would also be included in the survey. Street vendors will be given certificates during the survey and thereafter, licenses bearing the name of the owner, address and the place of vending will be issued, Kejriwal said.