Street vendors’ association protests unfair treatment

NEW DELHI - Even as the country basks in the glory of a brilliant start to the Commonwealth Games, the street vendors’ association Tuesday said nearly one lakh street vendors have been evicted from Delhi and are struggling for livelihood because of the Games.

Ranjit Abhigyan of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) said nearly one lakh street vendors have been evicted from Delhi and neighbouring parts because of the Games.

“I went to Shahdara this morning and found that 125 vendors were evicted today (Tuesday). The government keeps talking about inclusive growth, but what kind of growth is this when the poor are being thrown out without any alternative livelihood option,” Abhigyan said.

“The government should have planned well in advance about the livelihood options of these hapless people who have children and women depending on them. While some of them have gone back to their native places like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, others are running from pillar to post to earn a living,” he added.

NASVI is a group of 540 street vendors associations, trade unions and NGOs across the country.

“We hope that such a treatment is never meted out to the vendors again. If the entire nation is enjoying something, why shouldn’t they,” Abhigyan asked.