Vendors protest relocation

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 28

Street vendors staged a protest against the district administration and the municipal council (MC) in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today. They were demanding the implementation of Street Vendors Act, 2014.

They were perturbed over the district Administration’s notification to relocate them to avoid traffic mess. They took out a protest march and gathered outside the office of the deputy commissioner and raised slogans against the district administration and the MC.

They said without a proper place to shift, their livelihood would be badly affected. A few days ago, the Town Vending Committee had shifted 40 vendors to the Seri parking lot, but till now they had not been provided even a roof to protect their products from rain and direct sunlight.

“At present, our business has got a dent at Seri parking and now we are urging the district administration to provide us a suitable place where our business could flourish.

Surender Kumar, president of the Street Vendors’ Union, said, “We are demanding the implementation of the Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending Act, 2014, in the town and under this, a detailed plan should be prepared to protect the livelihood of street vendors.”

“The MC and the district administration were adamant on shifting us out of the town, which will affect our livelihood. So, we urged the deputy commissioner to look into the matter and provide a suitable place within the town,” he added.