Tue Sep 23 14:09:28 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Kochi Corporation in India is implementing a technological solution to address the issue of ineligible beneficiaries among licensed street vendors. This move comes after opposition parties alleged that many unlicensed individuals had infiltrated the list of licensed vendors. The system will help verify license authenticity and prevent subletting. A major challenge is the limited space in proposed vending zones, hindering relocation efforts. Opposition members also claim that the Town Vending Committee is politically biased.

**News Article:**

**Kochi Corporation to Deploy Tech Solution to Root Out Bogus Street Vendors**

**KOCHI, September 23, 2025** – The Kochi Corporation announced today that it will implement a technology-driven system to eliminate ineligible beneficiaries among its licensed street vendor population. The move comes in response to allegations from opposition parties that unqualified individuals have infiltrated the list of 2,351 licensed vendors in the city.

The proposed solution, which will be discussed in the Corporation Council and the Town Vending Committee, aims to verify vendor credentials and prevent license subletting, a prohibited practice. According to J. Sanilmon, Chairman of the Corporation’s Town Planning Committee, the number of valid licenses is expected to decrease after a more rigorous screening process.

“We acknowledge the Opposition’s concerns,” Sanilmon stated. “This new system will allow us to more effectively identify and remove individuals who are not eligible to hold a vendor’s license.”

The Corporation faces challenges in accommodating all licensed vendors within designated zones due to limited space. While over 40 potential vending zones have been identified, logistical constraints hamper relocation efforts. Currently, 54 kiosks have been provided to vendors in Fort Kochi, with 35 more slated for Mattancherry. However, progress has been slow in other areas, particularly in the Town North division, including Marine Drive, where traders have strongly opposed the move and even filed a petition in the Kerala High Court.

Manu Jacob, Councillor of Ernakulam North, highlighted the problem of subletting along Marine Drive. “Despite repeated identification of such cases, the eviction squad has failed to act,” he said. “A thorough screening in the central zone will undoubtedly reduce the number of licensed vendors.”

M.G. Aristotle, UDF Parliamentary Party Secretary, criticized the Town Vending Committee, alleging it has become a politically motivated tool. He claimed that nine of the committee’s vendor representatives are affiliated with Left-leaning trade unions. Sanilmon refuted this claim, stating that the committee includes representatives from both LDF and UDF, but the selection of vendor representatives is outside the Corporation’s control.

The Kochi Corporation hopes that this technological intervention will bring greater transparency and fairness to the street vendor licensing process, ensuring that legitimate vendors have access to designated spaces and livelihood opportunities.

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