PANCHKULA: The Panchkula municipal corporation (MC) plans to restart street vending zones at two sites with new guidelines and facilities for vendors.
Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal said, “As per a survey conducted by the MC officials, there are 1,500 registered Panchkula-based street vendors. Priority will be given to them in the first phase. There are 4,000 street vendors from other states. In the second phase, they will be factored in.”
The two vending zone sites are in sectors 15 and 19. Space between vendors has been increased to maintain social distancing, said the MC officials. All other guidelines, like wearing of masks, use of sanitizers, among others, will be followed and training will be given to them.
The civic body is yet to decide on the date when the zones will become operational.
MC joint commissioner Sanyam Garg on December 29, 2020, had held a meeting with the street vendor sub-committee and discussed provision of facilities.
It was decided that the MC will provide street vendors multiple facilities, including CCTV cameras, insurance policy, health check-up, call centre to complain, sanitation, RO drinking water and toilet facility.
“A vendor will have to pay the rent of the allotted site on a monthly basis and submit police verification certificate. They cannot construct any permanent structure at the allotted space. And, it is their responsibility to maintain the space,” reads the draft policy.
Also, 30% of the sites will be reserved for scheduled caste women, persons with disability, minorities, among others. The Parliament had passed the Street Vendors’ (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act in 2014, which guarantees the right to work as street vendors. They can be evicted only as per the provisions of the Act.