| Source – http://www.doccentre.org |
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INDIA – Government message to Mumbai: Stop demolition and punishment The Mumbai Municipal Corporation was rapped on the knuckles for going against a government directive instructing states to stop taking action against hawkers until the finalisation of a national policy on street vendors. The Deputy Commissioner of Mumbai who has been responsible for the removal of hawkers in the city as part of a programme to reduce traffic congestion, came under criticism for not adhering to the notice. He has stated that his programme against street vendors is allowed under a 1985 supreme court judgement. The directive issued by the Department of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation to stop the demolition of stalls and tents, has been seen as relief for Indias millions of street vendors who have been at the receiving end of hostile policies. A member of the national task force on street vendors, Sharit Bhowmik, said the city of Mumbai was responsible for committing atrocities. Instead of fining vendors for street encroachments, the authorities confiscated stalls and goods without warning or any concern about the damage or destruction. He advised the Mumbai civic authorities to engage in a process of dialogue that drew all parties together to work out a solution to the problems of congestion. Raids against hawkers could only be seen as a threat to the urban poor who are contributing to the economy and serving the public. Source: From news reports in The Times of India, 24th and 26th December 2001 |