NEW DELHI:
In a landmark decision aimed at empowering street vendors, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated measures to ensure dignified working conditions for this vital segment of society. Led by Delhi’s CM and AAP’s National Convenor Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the government announced plans to conduct a comprehensive survey across Delhi, facilitating the allocation of designated spaces for street vendors to set up their shops. This move, hailed as a step towards social inclusivity, emphasizes the government’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all citizens.
Announcing this landmark move, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal via a video, stated, “Since the AAP came to power in the MCD, we have been making one significant decision after another. The AAP’s MCD government has taken several major decisions so far and has accomplished a lot of work. Now, the ‘AAP’ government of the corporation has taken another major decision. It is a great piece of news for all the brothers and sisters who are street vendors in Delhi. We understand how difficult it is to work by setting up a street vending cart on the roadside. Street vendors are sometimes harassed by the police, sometimes by committees, and sometimes by officers. We want you to get rid of all these troubles and lead a life of dignity. Street vendors should also be able to work with dignity and set up their shops.”
“Those who set up shops on the streets are also our brothers and sisters, and they come from extremely poor families. They are forced to do odd jobs to make ends meet at home. It is our responsibility to provide them with good arrangements so that they can also support their families well and work with dignity,” the CM added.
Shri Arvind Kejriwal further said, “We have decided to conduct a survey of all the street vending shops. Wherever there are street vending shops, surveys will be conducted to determine how many shopkeepers are in which area, who sits where, and what types of shops are set up. After that, arrangements will be made for them to set up their shops with dignity. This survey will take a few months. Then they will be able to set up their shops without any hassle, and no one will be able to demand bribes from them. Additionally, the police, committee members, or officers will not be able to harass them.”
“We will arrange it in such a way that other shopkeepers around will not face any inconvenience, cleanliness will also be taken care of, and everyone will be accommodated properly so that no one will face any trouble. Those who work on the streets are our own brothers and sisters. Taking care of them is our responsibility. From vegetables to small items used in households, we get everything from street vendors. We will create good arrangements for them and for the general public as well, according to convenience,” Shri Arvind Kejriwal concluded.
