Mumbai to Issue QR Code IDs for Legal Street Vendors Starting June 10
QR-coded IDs to pave way for legal hawking across city
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will begin distributing QR code-enabled identity cards to nearly 100,000 street vendors from June 10. This initiative aims to legalize hawking across the city, except in designated no-hawking zones, following years of delays in implementing the Street Vendors Act.
- 01The BMC will issue QR code-enabled identity cards to 99,435 hawkers identified in a 2014 survey.
- 02The distribution of these identity cards is set to begin on June 10 and is expected to be completed shortly after.
- 03Hawkers will be recognized as authorized vendors, although the final hawking zones will be determined by upcoming Town Vending Committees.
- 04The implementation of the Street Vendors Act has faced significant delays, with recent court orders pushing for expedited action.
- 05Disputes between the Shiv Sena and BJP have emerged over the hawking issue, particularly regarding the treatment of local versus illegal vendors.
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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to distribute QR code-enabled identity cards to approximately 99,435 street vendors starting June 10, marking a significant step towards legalizing hawking in Mumbai. This initiative follows years of delays in implementing the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. The identity cards will allow vendors to operate legally, except in designated no-hawking zones, which include high-footfall areas and locations near major railway stations such as Churchgate and CSMT. The distribution will occur through ward offices and is expected to be completed quickly. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the ruling Shiv Sena and the BJP over hawking regulations, with the former advocating for vendor protections and the latter supporting anti-encroachment measures. The BMC has faced pressure from the Bombay High Court to expedite the formation of Town Vending Committees, which will ultimately decide the designated hawking zones.
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The issuance of QR code IDs will provide legal recognition to street vendors, enabling them to operate without fear of eviction.
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