An action plan is being prepared for formulation of the policy at the earliest, in view of the recent directions by the Central Government. About four lakh street vendors and hawkers will be benefited by the proposed policy.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah today asked the officials to hasten the State Action Plan for formulating the policy. Under the proposed Street Vending Policy, the State Government will constitute Street Vending Committees, issue identity cards, and also conduct survey and enumeration of street vendors with the help of non-governmental organisations. The Government will also extend loans at 25-paise interest rate to street vendors under MEPMA (Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas).

The officials have been asked to complete the enumeration of street vendors/ hawkers by November 30 and issue identity cards to them by March 31. The policy on street vending is aimed at improving the scope of urban poor to earn better livelihood, provide a clean environment in public places and on the streets, ensure hygienically prepared food for the consumers and control street congestion, apart from improving law and order and security.

The proposed Action Plan includes GISbased identification of vending zones, formulate draft amendments to the Town Planning/Municipal Acts, finalise the strategies for implementation of new policy and establishment of a dedicated cell in the office of the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration.

Action Plan

* GIS-based identification of

vending zones

* Draft amendments to Municipal Acts

* ID cards for vendors

* Loans at 25 paise interest