Survey of street vendors begins in BBMP zones

Following recent evictions from Church Street, citywide assessment of street traders has started to identify those eligible for support programs

After evicting street vendors from Church Street, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced that it has initiated a survey of street vendors across all zones within its jurisdiction. BBMP Special Commissioner (Health and Animal Husbandry ) Suralkar Vikas Kishor said, “In accordance with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and the Karnataka Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood, Regulation of Street Vending, and Licensing) Scheme, 2020, a comprehensive survey of urban street vendors is being conducted across the BBMP.

Accordingly, a total of eight zones are covered under this survey, with over 600 enumerators deployed for the task. The survey is being carried out using mobile applications, and approximately 1,800 street vendors have been identified across zones so far.”

He said that based on the findings of the survey, eligible street vendors will be issued identity cards and certificates. Furthermore, town vending committees will be formed at the zonal level to ensure the implementation of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and the Karnataka Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood, Regulation of Street Vending, and Licensing) Scheme, 2020.

Documents required for survey
Street vendors are requested to cooperate with the enumerators appointed by the BBMP during the survey and provide the following documents; an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Bank Passbook, Family Ration Card, information on family members and a self-declaration certificate.

Awareness through street plays

He said that to raise awareness among street vendors about the ongoing survey, street plays have been organised by BBMP. These plays inform vendors about the various benefits available to them.

Pamphlet distribution:

Pamphlets detailing the process of participation in the survey and the benefits derived from it are being distributed among street vendors. Additionally, various other activities are being undertaken to promote the survey, ensuring it facilitates the empowerment of street vendors.

Identification of vending zones
He said, “Efforts to identify vending zones that will benefit street vendors are actively underway in all eight zones under the BBMP. The central and state governments have launched several schemes aimed at empowering street vendors. In this regard, BBMP is effectively surveying to ensure these schemes reach the vendors. In addition to the PM SVANidhi scheme, various benefits such as assistance for purchasing e-commerce vehicles, financial support for the construction of Amrutha Mahotsava houses, reimbursement of medical expenses for those suffering from severe illnesses, skill development training programs, and reimbursement of school fees for street vendors’ children can be availed through BBMP”.

PM SVANidhi scheme
The Prime Minister’s Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, and the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), provides small loans to help street vendors become self-reliant.