NASVI (National Association of Street Vendors of India) made significant efforts to address the issues faced by street vendors in Delhi.
Meetings with Key Officials: NASVI attempted to meet with the Delhi Minister for Urban Development, Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj, and was in contact with his Personal Assistant, Shri O.P. Mishra. The issues of street vendors, especially the harassment by MCD and police, were raised.
Petition to Additional Chief Secretary: NASVI presented a petition to Shri Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department, and also met with Shri K.C. Surendra, Special Secretary of the department.
Direct Intervention with Minister: A meeting with Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was held near Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence, where the problems, including the 30-minute rule for vendors, were discussed. The Minister immediately directed for a letter to be issued from the Delhi Secretariat regarding the issue.
Action Promised by Authorities: The letter was sent to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Shri Vinay Kumar Saxena, informing him of the street vendors’ issues. The Minister assured that the matter would be addressed by engaging with the MCD Commissioner.
Follow-up Actions: NASVI had further discussions with Shri O.P. Mishra, resulting in a meeting involving Additional Secretary Naveen Kumar and Special Secretary K.C. Surendra. The meeting lasted for an hour, after which a decision was made for MCD to issue a notice to form a vending committee, hold meetings, and categorize mobile and stationary vendors.
