Vendors Protest against anti people policies
Post covid, people on the periphery have been struggling to make both ends meet. The total scenario is changing; women who would not easily go out to work have realized that they need to contribute to the economy of the family. They have been making every effort to find some kind of work. Most of them have taken to opening small petty shops, being vendors along the street.
There has also on the other hand been fast developing infrastructure which has been contributing to the eviction of homes and livelihood. For the administration and those in power they are only huts, only carts, only baskets; but for the people its their homes, their history, their means to keep their body and soul intact.
The Divisional Commissioner in collaboration with the district Magistrate brought out an order in the entire township of Patna that no vendors would be seen after the stipulated time. Vending should take place from 5.00 am to 9.00 am and again after 6.00 pm to 9.00pm. This seems to be not acceptable for both the vendors and the customers. Can you imagine getting up early in the morning and running to shop? The normal trend is when one goes to work, one picks up vegetables on their way home. Such insensitivity and impractical rules enraged the vendors. They decided to take to the streets. Prior to this, the leaders tried to meet with the DC but he would not relent.
It is sad that in spite of so many legislations, the street vendors Act 2014, passé din Lok Sabha 10 years ago, still does not find a place in the administrative set up of the government. When officials sit behind doors and make policies which are anti people, it’s a reflection of how little they are in touch of the ground reality.