Jaipur civic body issues passes to 684 vegetable vendors

JAIPUR: To regulate the large number of vendors selling vegetables and fruits in the city, Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) has conducted a survey and issued passes to 684 vendors. This has been done to keep the movement and number of vegetable vendors in control.
Due to the lockdown, only essential services are allowed to be opened and hundreds of street vendors are selling vegetables to earn their livelihood during the pandemic.

Problem came to light when many vegetable vendors were found corona positive.
To prevent these vendors from moving around different areas in the city, district administration had asked JMC to give passes to these vendors and define a route on which they can sell vegetables.
JMC officials divided this work, zone-wise and vendors are given passes as per the area and population.
There are eight zones in the city but passes have been given in seven zones because Hawa Mahal West is a red zone area, where outsiders are not allowed anymore. Maximum passes have been given in Vidyadhar Nagar zone – 180 and minimum in Amber zone – eight.
The move is however not welcomed by the Street Vendors’ Association of Jaipur. Banwari Lal, president of the vendors’ association said that JMC officials have given passes to the people with influence.
“JMC has given 684 passes but before the pandemic, there were at least 5,000 vegetable vendors in the city. Officials have given passes to people who have some political influence or are known to them. These are not given to vendors who have been selling vegetables for years in the city. This will have a direct impact on our livelihood,” said Banwari Lal.
All the vendors who have received the pass will have to sell their wares in that area and any other person found selling vegetables apart from these, will be penalized.