Law soon for welfare of street vendors

Hyderabad, Sept 11 :

 The Rosaiah Government has now got into serious business. On Thursday the Chief Minister, Mr K Rosaiah, has held a couple of review meetings with the ministers concerned and senior officials and also put his foot firmly down with regard to the flip-flopping of the EMRI on 108 services. On Friday, the State Government has decided to bring in a legislation for the welfare of street vendors, particularly push-cart vendors.

After reviewing at a meeting the sorrow state of the street vendors, the Minister for Municipal Administration, Mr Aanam Ramnarayana Reddy, told media persons that a law would soon be enacted for the safety and security of the push-cart vendors who fall under the unorganized sector. He said that the Chief Minister has given a patient hearing to all those who expressed their views on the living conditions of the petty businessmen in the State.

The Government is contemplating of extending loans to them at the subsidized rate of interest, at Rs 3 per annum (pavala vaddi), the most favourite scheme of the deceased chief minister, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, and is also planning to allot house-sites to them at their respective places of living. Besides, they will also be issued identity cards in order to enable them to utilize any future welfare schemes that will be introduced for the downtrodden sections of society, he revealed.

Asked whether the State Government has ready statistics as to how many such street vendors or petty businessmen are currently doing business in the State and their total population strength, the Minister said that a survey is being conducted on all such issues.  A report will be submitted to the Government by November 30, he stated. 

Mr Ramnarayana Reddy said that after the survey report is received, the State Government will invite suggestions from the associations of the petty businessmen and some non-governmental organizations (NGOs). “Their views will be taken into consideration before the law is enacted,” he added.