Sansad TV: Street Vendors Act 2014 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• Protection, Social Security, and Regulation: The Street Vendors Act provides for the protection of the livelihood rights of street vendors, social security of street vendors, and regulation of street vending across India. However, the Committee noted that many provisions of the Act are yet to be implemented by several states/ union territories (UTs). The Committee recommended constituting a monitoring committee to review the progress of implementation and share good practices for implementing the Act. It also recommended conducting an annual survey to award urban local bodies for effective implementation of the Act, similar to the Swachh Survekshan.
• Registration of Street Vendors: The Committee observed that identity cards and certificates of vending provide the street vendors with the legal right to conduct business in a designated vending zone. However, the identity cards and vending certificates have not been issued to all vendors. The Committee recommended issuing smart cards with relevant information, such as identification and details of vending certificate, to vendors, which may be more durable than paper-based documents.
• Town Vending Committees: The Act empowers state governments to constitute TVCs for identifying street vendors, issuing vending certificates, and keeping records of vendors. However, the Committee noted that TVCs have not been constituted in several states, making street vendors prone to eviction. It recommended expediting the formation of TVCs in such states and stated that no eviction or relocation should be enforced without consultation with TVCs.
• Representation in TVCs: The Committee found that the majority of TVCs consist of official representatives appointed by state governments, which may not effectively address vendor concerns. Additionally, there is no provision for elected representatives in TVCs. The Committee suggested that elected representatives from local bodies, state legislatures, and Parliament should be involved as ex-officio members, permanent invitees, or observers. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs should monitor vendor representation in TVCs and maintain a database of their representation.
• Street vending plans: The Act requires local authorities to create street vending plans to address specific issues related to street vending, such as identifying vending zones and establishing measures for efficient distribution of goods and services. However, the Committee found that only 31% of towns in states with a notified scheme have created plans, and some states have not made any plans at all. The Committee recommended that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issue guidelines to integrate the Act with developmental missions and urban planning processes. The guidelines should also ensure consultation with TVCs while planning projects under the smart city mission and representation of the vendor community in the master plan committee.
• Integration with smart city mission: The Committee observed that many cities are being developed as smart cities or are formulating master plans without considering street vendors. The Committee recommended that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs issue guidelines to integrate the Act with developmental missions and urban planning processes, and to ensure consultation with TVCs while planning projects under the smart city mission. The Committee further recommended ensuring representation of the vendor community in the committee formulating the master plan of a city.
• Grievance Redressal Committees (GRCs): The Committee noted that GRCs are crucial for earning trust of vendors and ensuring transparency of processes. However, only nine states have constituted GRCs. The Committee recommended that the central government encourage the constitution of GRCs through review meetings. The Committee further suggested developing a website or mobile application to ensure traceability, accountability, and transparency in the complaint redressal process.

Conclusion

• The Street Vendors Act of India provides for the protection of the livelihood rights of street vendors, social security, and regulation of street vending. However, many provisions of the Act are yet to be implemented in several states and union territories. The Committee has made several recommendations to expedite the implementation of the Act, including the formation of a monitoring committee, the issuance of smart cards to vendors, the expediting of the formation of Town Vending Committees, and ensuring adequate representation of vendors in TVCs. 
• The Committee has also recommended the development of guidelines to integrate the Act with developmental missions and urban planning processes, ensure consultation with TVCs while planning projects under the smart city mission, and ensure the representation of the vendor community in the master plan committee. Finally, the Committee has emphasized the need for the constitution of Grievance Redressal Committees to ensure transparency and accountability in the complaint redressal process.