16 unauthorised vendors removed

The Shimla Municipal Corporation today removed 16 unauthorised street vendors from various locations in the state capital. These vendors were selling their goods from markets without permission and licence.

The MC officials removed unauthorised vendors and hawkers in two rounds. They removed 10 unauthorised street vendors from Lower Bazaar and three each from near Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) and the lift area.

Tehbazaari Inspector Jyoti Prakash who led the MC team said the goods of the street vendors had been confiscated and would be returned only after the fine was paid. “Most of the street vendors are from outside the state and belong to Kalka, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. They are not able to produce a valid licence or permit to sell the goods in the markets,” he said.

Every Sunday, a team of MC officials visits prominent market areas of the town to keep a check on unauthorised street vendors.

Recently, the MC had approved vending and non-vending zones across the town. As per the civic body, only licenced street vendors will be allotted sites in the vending zones and no vendor will be allowed to operate from the non-vending zones.