In a major relief for street vendors and hawkers, Delhi government has ordered civic bodies and police not to remove them if they have been doing their business for years at a particular place.
The government's move comes after several street hawkers complained to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal at his 'Janta Darbar' that they are being dislocated despite having carried out their business from the same location for years.
Government in its order said that there is already a Supreme Court order dated September 9, 2013 in the matter.
"It is directed that the existing street vendors/hawkers in Delhi area shall be allowed to operate till the excercise of their registeration and creation of vending/hawking zone is finalised," said a senior official.
In 2013, Parliament had passed the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, which allows the registration of street vendors and regularises their business.
However, the government has clarified that no new vendors or hawkers should come up and operate in any area of the city', which is not already designated as vending/hawking zone.
