Arbitrary eviction drives by authorities have made survival difficult, say Delhi’s street vendors

Sun Dec 29 20:10:02 UTC 2024: **Delhi Street Vendors Accuse MCD of Arbitrary Crackdown**

NEW DELHI (December 30, 2024) – Street vendors in Delhi are accusing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) of unfairly targeting them following a May 15th decision to classify all vendors as “mobile,” restricting their ability to operate in one location for extended periods. Three months after his stall was destroyed during an anti-encroachment drive, Sambhu, a vendor in Vasant Kunj, recounted how officials ignored his pleas and licenses before demolishing his cart. Similar accounts emerged from Girender Pandit in Lado Sarai, who alleged the MCD seized his goods without proper notice or documentation.

The National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) claims the MCD’s actions have affected nearly one lakh vendors citywide, out of a total estimated three lakh. NASVI criticized the lack of town vending committee meetings and the stalled survey mandated by the 2014 Street Vendors Act, which aims to provide licenses and protect vendors’ livelihoods. The Act’s implementation has been delayed despite promises from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the 2022 civic polls and from other parties during the recent Lok Sabha elections.

While the MCD claims to await a notification from the Delhi government’s Urban Development Department to begin the survey, the Department denies this. An MCD official stated that private agencies have been appointed for the survey. Urban activist Aravind Unni highlighted flaws in the MCD’s initial vendor categorization and licensing process, emphasizing the need for correction before a larger survey under the Street Vendors Act. He also pointed out that many vendors were omitted from the MCD identification drive.

Despite promises from AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal to address the issue, vendors report little change on the ground. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle faced by Delhi’s street vendors, leaving many without livelihoods and highlighting the conflicting statements from the MCD and the Delhi government.