Himachal Pradesh: Shimla witnessed a day-long strike by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)-affiliated Street Vendors Union on Wednesday, with hundreds of vendors protesting outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The agitation was launched against the Shimla Municipal Corporation’s requirement of eight different documents for street vendors’ verification and registration. The protesters demanded that this condition be abolished and registration be done only on the basis of Aadhaar card, as per the provisions of the Street Vendors Act, 2014.
The union leaders alleged that the Municipal Corporation was harassing street vendors by imposing fines and confiscating their cooking equipment even though they have a legal right to protection under the Act. They asserted that the registration process should be simplified and the law should be implemented in letter and spirit to protect the livelihood of the vendors. The union warned of stern action, saying if their grievances were not addressed immediately, they would intensify the agitation and take out rallies to the state assembly and secretariat.
