Inauguration of India Street Vendor Forum 2024
– Street vendors received applause from ministry officials
– Sharp questions raised during the two-day forum
– Street vendors from across the country expressed gratitude to NASVI
New Delhi. The two-day “India Street Vendor Forum 2024” commenced on Thursday at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi. Senior officials from relevant ministries praised the hard work and struggles of street vendors who attended the forum. Hundreds of representatives from street vendor organizations across the country shared their inspiring stories and posed questions to the ministries. The forum will conclude on September 27 with a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The event is organized by the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI)
During the inaugural session, FSSAI CEO Kamala Vardhan Rao congratulated the large gathering of street vendor representatives, announcing that FSSAI will launch extensive training programs for them. He emphasized the Swachh Bharat Mission, stating that cleanliness is a mantra that requires everyone’s participation. He commended NASVI for their efforts and highlighted the sensitivity of the department towards street vendors, recalling that a few years ago, the Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda made a significant announcement providing relief to street vendors by waiving registration fees.
On this occasion, Sunil Kumar Yadav, Director of the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), assured the attending street vendor organizations of all possible support. He mentioned that discussions could be held with states regarding the implementation of the Street Vendors Act.
Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing, Preet Pal, stated that the 2014 law for street vendors has given them a formal identity. He noted that the department organizes exhibitions in various parts of the country and advocated for the inclusion of street vendor stalls in future exhibitions.
National Coordinator of NASVI, Arbind Singh, shed light on NASVI’s journey and encouraged unity among street vendors, and emphasis on the importance of the India Street Vennor Forum. The forum also had sessions on – Climate change impact on street vendor’s livelihood, Engaging street food vendors in food safety and nutritional campaigns, Urban planning, local governance and TVC: challenges and opportunities for street vendors, स्वच्छ भारत, सफल रोजगार, Entrepreneurial skills for street vendors: growth and sustainability with a focus on women vendors and Digital and financial literacy and street vendors: bridging the technological divide. The event ended with a legal quiz to create awareness among the vendors for Street Vendors Act 2014
