STREET VENDOR ACT 2014 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Vulnerable Sections)

Context: Recently, a decade has passed since the enactment of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, marking a significant milestone following decades of legal jurisprudence and the relentless advocacy of street vendor movements throughout India.

Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act:

• About: The Act, 2014, aimed to regulate street vending and safeguard vendors' rights.
• Provisions of the Street Vendors Law

o Street Vendors' Importance: Street vendors, comprising 2.5% of a city's population, fulfill vital roles in urban life.

They provide essential services, offering affordable goods and food, especially for migrants and the urban poor.

o Impact of COVID-19 on Street Vendors: Despite government loans, street vendors feel vulnerable post-COVID, facing economic uncertainty.

o Cultural Significance: Integral to Indian culture, street vendors contribute iconic dishes like vada pav in Mumbai and dosai in Chennai.

o Purpose of the Law: Enacted to protect and regulate street vending, with state-level rules and execution by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

o Town Vending Committees (TVCs): The Act empowers state governments to constitute TVCs for: (i) identifying street vendors, (ii) issuing vending certificates, and (iii) keeping records of vendors.

o Governance Structure: Mandates 40% vendor representation in TVCs, with 33% representation for women vendors, promoting inclusivity.

Committees ensure the accommodation of all existing vendors in designated zones.

o Grievance Resolution: Proposes a Grievance Redressal Committee, chaired by a judicial magistrate, to address disputes and grievances.