Vendors for right to livelihood

Amritsar, September 24

The All-Punjab Rehri-Phari Union has expressed its fear of vendors losing right to livelihood on roads once the smart city project is implemented in the city.

Inderpal, vice-president, National Hawker Federation, said vendors by selling fruit, vegetables, small household articles, cooked food and other items eke out a living.

He expressed concern that they would be at the receiving end, as the city has been included in the smart city category. Members of the union fear that they may lose their livelihood and have demanded a special provision so that their trade should also prosper simultaneously.

He said under the smart city, the entire data of the city will be computerised and in case it falls into the hands of anti-social elements, they could misuse it.

He feared that the cost of piped potable water and electricity would escalate. He said this project would be implemented through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the country would lose its sovereignty. — TNS