Allow only 12 pc hawkers in the city
Mumbai: IF THE recommendations filed by the three committees—they were formed in 2003 as per Supreme Court guidelines—on June 17, are anything to go by, only about 12 per cent of the hawkers will be allowed to conduct business on the streets of Mumbai.
This means that only 24,300 pitches (stalls) will be available for the over 2 lakh hawkers, who will be selected as per a draw of lots from the applications given to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The three committees, formed to look into different zones, each comprise of one representative from the BMC, one from the traffic police and one retired district court judge.
The committees were also directed by the apex court to consider viewpoints from the general public regarding roads that should be declared as hawking zones.
The committees made recommendations to curb the large-scale illegalities in the issue. While, one committee recommended that unauthorised hawking be made a non-bailable offence, other suggestions include municipal staff being given authority to enter private buildings and premises to confiscate goods kept by hawkers.
Superintendent of Licence, BMC, B S Gholap said: ‘‘We need the court to direct us regarding the issue of drawing lots. Issues like whether hawkers already operating in the hawking zones should be allowed to continue, whether licensed hawkers operating in non-hawking zones should be shifted and the draw of lots should be for only those pitches which are free, need to be addressed.’’
The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter for hearing till September 12.
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