BMC scrutiny finds only 23,265 eligible hawkers in Mumbai

In its bid to regularise hawkers in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has found only 23,265 eligible hawkers in the scrutinisation of hawkers in the city. BMC been scrutinising 99,437 hawker registration forms. “We have given the remaining 76,172 hawkers 30 days time to submit necessary documents, which mainly includes domicile certificate,” said a civic official.

Ward officers of the 24 administrative wards will send notices to the 76,172 hawkers to submit the documents. In 2014, BMC had received registration forms from 99,437 hawkers. The civic body began the process of scrutiny after it received the nod from the state government in January. In January this year, the state government had cleared its hawkers’ policy, which allows anyone with a domicile certificate to be considered for a hawking licence. Only one member from each family will be allowed to hawk. It also allows the sale of pre-cooked food on streets, after the high court prohibited roadside cooking.

The policy classifies hawkers into three categories — mobile hawker, stationery hawker and permanent hawker.

Last week, the 20-member town vending committee (TVC) also met to draw up guidelines to relocate hawkers according to a new law. The TVC is headed by civic chief Ajoy Mehta and comprises representatives of NGOs, experts, civic officials and eight members of hawker unions. According to the Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending Act, BMC formed the TVC on a government directive. The rules state that the TVC must survey street vendors, issue them vending certificates and decide on their relocation.

In addition, the civic body is also in process of forming seven zonal TVCs that will work for better coordination. Each zonal TVCs will have six members - one each from NGOs and community-based organisations, two each from resident welfare and trader associations, and one from the market association.