Illegal vendors to be removed from sensitive areas in Amritsar

The Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of a contempt petition filed by the Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) after the state government submitted that it had passed a speaking order directing the Municipal Corporation, Amritsar, to take concrete steps for creation of street vending zones in the city.

The AVM had earlier approached the High Court through a public interest litigation, alleging that Amritsar did not have any notified vending zone as required under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. In March this year, the court had directed the competent authority to decide the petitioner’s representation within 60 days. Hearing the contempt plea, Justice Vikram Aggarwal was informed by the state counsel that the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Local Government, had on November 18 issued detailed instructions to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, for compliance with the Act.

According to the speaking order, the civic body has been told to immediately constitute a new Town Vending Committee under Section 22 of the Act and conduct a fresh survey of all street vendors in Amritsar as mandated under Section 3.

The government has also ordered eviction of illegal vendors from sensitive locations, including religious places, hospital zones, school areas and high-traffic roads. The corporation has been directed to identify specific sites for setting up vending zones, including land under the Amritsar Improvement Trust. The AIT has been instructed to cooperate in identifying suitable plots, and, if needed, send proposals to the government for approvals.

In case municipal land is insufficient, the corporation must explore land parcels belonging to other departments or agencies. A plan is to be prepared in coordination with the departments concerned, followed by a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner to resolve land-related issues. Where land belongs to another agency, an agreement or MoU must be executed, including revenue-sharing terms. If the owning department needs the land back in the future, the vending zone will be shifted accordingly.

The entire exercise has to be completed within six months and a comprehensive report submitted to the state government. Counsel for the corporation assured the court that the directions would be implemented in letter and in spirit. Taking note of these submissions, the court disposed of the contempt petition, observing that no further orders were required at this stage.