Key Highlights
- The order: NHRC has directed Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs to ensure street vendors and small traders are not unnecessarily displaced during the festive season.
- Who's covered: Hawkers, footpath traders, potters, diya and murti makers, sweet and vegetable sellers, flower sellers and rangoli colour sellers.
- Relocation rule: If moving vendors is unavoidable for safety, suitable alternative vending spaces must be provided.
- Against harassment: Complaints of harassment, extortion or arbitrary seizure of goods must be promptly examined.
- Deadline: Pending Action Taken Reports are due by October 18.
For many small traders, the festive season is the most important time of the year. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) wants to make sure they can earn during it. The Commission has directed the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to ensure that street vendors, hawkers, traditional artisans and small traders are not unnecessarily displaced or stopped from working during Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Who the Order Protects
The directions cover street vendors, footpath traders, hawkers, Kumhars, local diya and murti makers, pottery sellers, small sweet vendors, malis (flower sellers), local vegetable sellers, rangoli colour sellers and other similar small vendors and artisans.
What Authorities Must Do
| Direction | What it means |
|---|---|
| No unnecessary displacement | Vendors should not be removed or stopped from trading without good reason |
| Alternative space | If relocation is unavoidable for emergency access or fire and public safety, suitable alternative spaces must be provided |
| No arbitrary seizures | Goods should not be seized unnecessarily |
| Action only by law | Any action must follow the law and consider vendors' livelihoods |
| Complaints | Harassment, extortion or coercion complaints must be promptly examined |
Local administrations have also been asked to support traditional trades and promote locally made products, in line with the "Vocal for Local" initiative.
Why It Matters: A Repeat Problem
This is not the first time the NHRC has stepped in. Last year, a bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of complaints about vendors being removed, their goods seized, fines imposed and alleged harassment during the festive season. Finding that intervention was needed again this year, the Commission issued fresh directions to all states and UTs.
The timing matters. For diya makers, potters and flower sellers, a few weeks around Diwali can account for a large share of their annual income. A single eviction or seizure during this period can wipe out months of preparation.
Vendors' Rights Under the Law
Street vendors in India are also protected by the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which provides for vending certificates and town vending committees, and requires due process before relocation or eviction. The NHRC's directions reinforce that action against vendors must be taken "strictly in accordance with law."
What Vendors Can Do
- Keep vending certificates or registration documents handy.
- If asked to move, ask about the alternative vending space the order requires.
- Report harassment, extortion or unlawful seizure to the local administration or police; the NHRC has directed that such complaints be examined promptly.
What Comes Next
Chief Secretaries must circulate the directions to District Magistrates, Municipal Commissioners and police officials. Pending Action Taken Reports must reach the Commission by October 18.
The Bottom Line
The NHRC's message is simple: festive safety and festive livelihoods must go together. For lakhs of small vendors, how well local authorities follow this order will decide whether this Diwali brings earnings or eviction.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- The order: NHRC has directed Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs to ensure street vendors and small traders are not unnecessarily displaced during the festive season.
- Who's covered: Hawkers, footpath traders, potters, diya and murti makers, sweet and vegetable sellers, flower sellers and rangoli colour sellers.
- Relocation rule: If moving vendors is unavoidable for safety, suitable alternative vending spaces must be provided.
- Against harassment: Complaints of harassment, extortion or arbitrary seizure of goods must be promptly examined.
- Deadline: Pending Action Taken Reports are due by October 18.
For many small traders, the festive season is the most important time of the year. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) wants to make sure they can earn during it. The Commission has directed the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to ensure that street vendors, hawkers, traditional artisans and small traders are not unnecessarily displaced or stopped from working during Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Who the Order Protects
The directions cover street vendors, footpath traders, hawkers, Kumhars, local diya and murti makers, pottery sellers, small sweet vendors, malis (flower sellers), local vegetable sellers, rangoli colour sellers and other similar small vendors and artisans.
What Authorities Must Do
| Direction | What it means |
|---|---|
| No unnecessary displacement | Vendors should not be removed or stopped from trading without good reason |
| Alternative space | If relocation is unavoidable for emergency access or fire and public safety, suitable alternative spaces must be provided |
| No arbitrary seizures | Goods should not be seized unnecessarily |
| Action only by law | Any action must follow the law and consider vendors' livelihoods |
| Complaints | Harassment, extortion or coercion complaints must be promptly examined |
Local administrations have also been asked to support traditional trades and promote locally made products, in line with the "Vocal for Local" initiative.
Why It Matters: A Repeat Problem
This is not the first time the NHRC has stepped in. Last year, a bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of complaints about vendors being removed, their goods seized, fines imposed and alleged harassment during the festive season. Finding that intervention was needed again this year, the Commission issued fresh directions to all states and UTs.
The timing matters. For diya makers, potters and flower sellers, a few weeks around Diwali can account for a large share of their annual income. A single eviction or seizure during this period can wipe out months of preparation.
Vendors' Rights Under the Law
Street vendors in India are also protected by the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which provides for vending certificates and town vending committees, and requires due process before relocation or eviction. The NHRC's directions reinforce that action against vendors must be taken "strictly in accordance with law."
What Vendors Can Do
- Keep vending certificates or registration documents handy.
- If asked to move, ask about the alternative vending space the order requires.
- Report harassment, extortion or unlawful seizure to the local administration or police; the NHRC has directed that such complaints be examined promptly.
What Comes Next
Chief Secretaries must circulate the directions to District Magistrates, Municipal Commissioners and police officials. Pending Action Taken Reports must reach the Commission by October 18.
The Bottom Line
The NHRC's message is simple: festive safety and festive livelihoods must go together. For lakhs of small vendors, how well local authorities follow this order will decide whether this Diwali brings earnings or eviction.
With inputs from IANS.