Hawkers’ body hails HC order on street vending

SHILLONG, Aug 16: The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors’ Association (MGSPHSVA) has hailed the recent order of the High Court of Meghalaya instructing the state government to formulate rules for regulating street vending in the state according to the Central Act on Hawking and Street Vending within a week.
“We have been struggling within the legal system as well as interacting with the government for the last six years, asking for regulation so that hawking and street vending can be carried out harmoniously with various urban stakeholders,” MGSPHSVA general secretary Shane Thabah said on Tuesday.
Recalling a draft model rule they had submitted to the government on several occasions and hoping these would be referred to, he said: “These rules will ensure the proper implementation of the law, the constitution of a participatory Town Vending Committee, fixing the holding capacity, an in situ survey of hawkers, identification of vending zones in natural and heritage markets and issuing of vending licenses.”
Thabah said the association has also welcomed the court’s observations regarding street vendors sometimes being made to pay money to set up their shops.
“Right from our inception, have tried to question and resist this illegality and extortionist practice. With a proper vending license, this illegal practice will also be curtailed,” he added.