Shimla, September 21: In a significant move to address the issue of illegal street vending in Himachal Pradesh, the state assembly led by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania has constituted a committee to draft a comprehensive street vendor policy. The decision was taken in the assembly on September 10, 2024, as the growing presence of illegal vendors in cities has posed challenges for both commuters and shop owners.
Industry Minister Harsh Vardhan Chouhan will head the committee, which also comprises Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, MLAs Anil Sharma, Satpal Satti, Randhir Sharma and Harish Janartha. The Principal Secretary/Secretary of the Urban Development Department will serve as the ex-officio Secretary of the committee. Their job is to formulate a street vendor policy that takes into account both the local population and outside vendors, aimed at streamlining the system and providing relief to those affected.
The primary task of the committee is to submit its findings and recommendations to the government, which focuses on balancing the livelihood of vendors with the need to maintain public spaces and order in urban areas.
The illegal vendor crisis
Shimla has been at the forefront of the illegal vending issue. Due to its narrow lanes and high influx of tourists, the problem has worsened, leading to severe congestion and inconvenience for both residents and visitors. Illegal vendors have taken over major public areas, often disrupting traffic flow and creating challenges for pedestrians. In some cases, local shop owners have further aggravated this problem by renting out space in front of their shops to these vendors in exchange for a hefty fee, thereby worsening the problem.
Other towns in Himachal Pradesh, including Dharamshala, Manali and Solan, are also facing similar problems. In these towns, the situation is similar to Shimla, where illegal vendors have taken over major bazaars and streets, leading to confrontations with shopkeepers and increasing chaos on busy streets. The lack of regulation has allowed these vendors to operate without any checks and balances, leading to a growing number of complaints from citizens.
Need for the policy
The new street vendor policy aims to regulate the presence of vendors, ensuring that they operate in designated areas without disrupting public life. The move is expected to bring relief to commuters who face daily difficulties navigating streets filled with illegal shops. Additionally, it will provide protection to shop owners, many of whom have seen their businesses affected by the presence of unregulated vendors encroaching on their spaces.
If implemented effectively, the policy can also provide a legal framework for street vendors to earn their livelihoods without fear of eviction or harassment, while ensuring that urban spaces are better managed. The committee is expected to create a balanced solution taking into account the interests of all stakeholders that benefits both the public and the vendors.
As the problem has escalated in recent years, this initiative is seen as a timely and much-needed step towards restoring order in Himachal Pradesh’s urban areas. The committee’s findings and subsequent policy could become a blueprint for tackling similar issues in other states, offering a model for sustainable urban management.
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