When it comes to politics and political leaders/party members, the approach towards one problem in the city differs from party to party or rather from person to person. The issue of hawkers is one of the many problems in the most popular and populated cities in the world.
On one hand, as the city lacks space for parking and walking on the footpath, hawkers occupy a lot of space and make it difficult for commuters and pedestrians in the city. The government has been trying to tackle the situation, but recently, Raj Thackeray led MNS opted for a different yet distasteful approach, not to overcome the situation and help people, but to ensure they get the limelight.
On behalf of the hawkers, Shashank Rao, president of Mumbai Hawkers’ Union, spoke about the same asking hawkers to continue their work.
The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 is for the betterment of hawkers, however, Maharashtra government is doing nothing on this issue, while BMC is acting against us. The BMC should do their survey again, register their names and give them licenses,” said Shashank Rao, president, Mumbai Hawkers’ Union.
He asked hawkers to resume their work fearlessly.
Mumbai Hawkers’ Union carried out a protest rally at Azad Maidan where hawkers were present but were in small numbers. During his speech, Rao said that if the BMC will not carry out a survey then they will give out I-cards to hawkers. Rao added that the government and BMC have no right to take action against hawkers as the former has not implemented the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. The union will fill up the forms of hawkers from November 2 to November 21 and will submit it to CM, Governor, Bombay High Court, Supreme Court.
MNS' hooliganism irked many other leaders and parties in the opposition, who, for once (in a blue moon) considered to stand and talk about the approach, leaving behind a question if all they did was a mere gimmick or really doing something for the city.
Over the years, the citizens have been waiting for an answer to the question, but alas!
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