Shimla, Oct 3
A key meeting of the committee formed to draft a policy for street vendors in Himachal Pradesh took place at the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat, presided over by Committee Chairman and Industry Minister Harsh Vardhan Chauhan.
The meeting saw the participation of several prominent officials, including Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and committee members Anil Sharma, Satpal Singh Satti, Randhir Sharma, and Harish Janartha.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Devesh Kumar, Legislative Assembly Secretary Yashpal Sharma, and Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Shimla Bhupendra Atri, were also present.
The committee discussed key issues related to street vendors operating in public spaces across various towns in Himachal Pradesh. The meeting comes in the wake of growing protests by right-wing organizations, who have been targeting street vendors for allegedly encroaching on public places.
These organizations are demanding a thorough verification of the vendors’ identities to ensure they have proper credentials to operate. Recently, Congress ministers have also aligned with this demand, citing rising crime rates and a need to protect the interests of local people.
Addressing the concerns, the committee emphasized the importance of balancing the rights of street vendors with the interests of the public. The committee highlighted the necessity of verifying the vendors’ backgrounds to ensure that legitimate vendors can continue their business without disruption, while illegal encroachments are dealt with strictly.
The committee also decided to hold additional meetings to gather input from the public and stakeholders before finalizing any policy recommendations. Suggestions from local residents will be taken into account to create a comprehensive street vendor policy that addresses both livelihood issues and public safety.
This meeting marks the first step in a series of discussions aimed at regulating street vending while maintaining public order, with the ultimate goal of formulating a fair and sustainable policy for the state.
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