National Vendor's policy yet to take off

Kolkata, Aug 1 (UNI) National Vendor's policy is yet to take off as various state governments are not actively 'cooperating' with the Centre, Secretary Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation under Union Government Ranjit Issar said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised by Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday, Mr Issar told UNI that the Union government was yet to decide the timeframe within which the policy would be implemented.

However, the states, especially West Bengal, must cooperate to make this policy a success, he said.

The draft policy says, ''The number of street vendors has increased manifold in the recent years. Mumbai has the largest number of street vendors numbering around 250,000, while Delhi has around 200,000. Calcutta has more than 150,000 street vendors and Ahmedabad has around 100,000.'' It also says, ''The total number of street vendors in the country is estimated at around 1 crore. Urban vending is not only a source of employment but provide 'affordable' services to the majority of urban population.'' The main objective of the policy is to provide and promote a supportive environment for earning livelihoods to the street vendors and ensure absence of congestion and maintenance of hygiene in public spaces and streets.

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