BHOPAL: Nearly 1 lakh street vendors in the stateís capital with no earning for past one-and-a-half month are on tenterhooks as the Shivraj government is gearing up to unlock the state in a phased wise manner from June 1. They are having their fingers crossed with a hope that the government will give green signal to them in the first phase itself.
Though the registered street vendors in Bhopal are 45,000, the actual number is close to 1 lakh street vendors who slog every day for their bread and butter. The government has recently deposited Rs 1,000 as financial aid to the registered vendorsí accounts, however, the amount is too less to give any relief in these difficult times. The unregistered vendors failed to get even this meagre aid from government.
The government has announced to unlock the state and to end curfew with some restrictions, however, nothing more on this account is being said and this is giving sleepless nights to vendors.
Once the unlock begins, the government is likely to lift all restrictions on the sale of fruits and vegetables in the city, but there are chances food kiosks, paan vendors and those dealing in non-essentials items would continue to remain out of work for some time more. The vendors operating outside theatres, bus stands, railway station, religious places believe that the restrictions would continue and they would have to a few more days to get back on their feet.
The administration would likely permit food delivery but the facility is available with big shops and outlets and not with some local fast food corner, says Ratnesh Upadhyay, a panshop owner. There are over 1 lakh vendors in Bhopalís rural and urban areas and they are suffering for over a year now. The government should allow them to earn now at least, said Upadhyay adding that the vendors often suffers due to anti-encroachment drives.
Worries galore, loan repayment and all
The vendors were given a loan of Rs 10,000 during the first wave of coronavirus, but then they had a tough time submitting the applications as banks would refuse to entertain their forms. Many were lucky to get loan, however, the second wave of corona once again threw them jobless, confining them to their homes. The vendors, who thought they were lucky to get Rs 10,000 loan, are now worried as they have repay the amount to bank, however, with virus still on the move, thing seems difficult. These vendors have to repay that amount but they are not informed about as when they would be allowed to resume their businesses.
Those under registered vendor category may get relief
There are 24 categories of vendors who are registered with the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC). Tea stall owners, fruit sellers, dry cleaners, ferry wala merchants, cigarette shop owners, vegetable sellers, small shops of fast† food, maids and others who are registered as street vendors, a few of them are likely to get permission to resume their work.