Tue Jun 24 18:09:25 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Over 500 street vendors in Bengaluru protested at Freedom Park on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, against a statement by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Shivakumar stated that only registered street vendors from a previous survey would be permitted to sell goods, and only with pushcarts. The protestors, organized by the Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors’ Association, claim the survey undercounted vendors and the proposed restrictions violate the Street Vendors Act of 2014. The vendors are demanding the withdrawal of the statement and a guarantee against evictions, threatening further protests if their demands aren’t met.
**News Article:**
**Bengaluru Street Vendors Protest Restrictions, Claim Survey Underestimates Numbers**
**Bengaluru, June 24, 2025** – More than 500 street vendors took to Freedom Park in Bengaluru today, staging a day-long protest against proposed restrictions that they say threaten their livelihoods. The protest, organized by the Karnataka Progressive Street Vendors’ Association (affiliated to AICCTU), was sparked by a recent statement from Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Shivakumar announced that only vendors identified in a prior survey would be permitted to operate, and only with pushcarts, effectively banning stationary vending. The protestors argue that the survey significantly underestimated the number of street vendors in the city, leaving many unregistered and vulnerable.
“The survey has deliberately kept out vendors to show lesser numbers. Now the government cannot turn around and say only these 27,000 vendors will be allowed to hawk,” said S. Babu, President of the Association and a street vendor from Vijayanagar market. He also pointed out the government gave out loans under the PM SVAnidhi scheme to 70,000 street vendors in the city. “Moreover, Mr. Shivakumar wants to evict these registered vendors as well, giving them electric push carts, asking them not to occupy any permanent spots.”
The Association claims these restrictions are a clear violation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014. Protesters were unable to meet with Chief Civic Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao as planned.
The Association has warned of escalating the protest if the DCM does not withdraw his statement and the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) fails to announce a no-eviction policy. The street vendors say they are fighting for their right to earn a living and provide essential services to the city.
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