Shillong, Aug 16: The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association welcomed the High Court order on Tuesday instructing the state government to formulate rules for street vending as per the central act on hawking and street vending within a week.
“As an association, we have been struggling both within the court system as well as interacting with the government for the last six years, asking for regulation of vending as per law, so that hawking and street vending can be carried out harmoniously with various urban stakeholders,” said Shane Thabah, general secretary of the association that has been demanding regulations as per the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
The association had, on several occasions, submitted draft model rules to the government. “Hope these will be referred to. These rules will ensure proper implementation of the law like constitution of a participatory Town Vending Committee, fixing a holding capacity, in situ survey of hawkers, identification of vending zones in natural and heritage markets and issuing of vending licenses,” Thabah said.
The vendors’ association also welcomed the court’s observations on the practice of hawkers paying money to set up their shops. Thabah said the vendors’ body has been resisting the illegal practice for years.
“With proper licensing of vending, this illegal practice will also be curtailed. The association will collaborate with the government to ensure proper implementation of the central act and rules so that Shillong can chart a course between livelihood and pro-people urban amenities,” he added.
