PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has planned action against around 15% of total hawkers, who have illegally subleased their establishments.
The licence holders are expected to conduct trade and be present at their designated business places. However, a number of hawkers have given out their property to other people and are charging rent for the space. Such sub-leasing is considered illegal. Around 3,000 hawkers were found to have illegally rented out their hawks in a survey carried out by the PMC. The civic administration have given notices to the hawkers. If they fail to comply, their licenses would be cancelled.
PMC officials carried out drives against illegal hawkers over the last couple of weeks. “Licence holders are supposed to hawk their wares but it was seen that many hawkers have not done so. Instead, they have given the allotted space on rent,” said Madhav Jagtap, head of PMC’s anti encroachment department.
He added that the PMC has directed such hawkers to adhere to the norms. On failing to do so, their permits will be scrapped. According to PMC data, around 20,000 hawkers operate in the city officially. They have been allotted license for vending on the road. Around 8,000 vendors operate without a proper registration. A vendor without a proper licence must pay Rs5,000 as fine.