Hawkers become aggressive over panchnamas, PMC ready to conduct them after checking legal provisions

On Apr 29, 2022

Pune : Policenama online – Hawkers’ organisations in the city have threatened to move court over the current anti-encroachment drive being carried out by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). They alleged that the civic body is not implementing the Street Vendors Act, 2014 and decisions made by the Pune City Hawkers Committee. They claimed that the anti-encroachment campaign by the Anti-Encroachment Department of the PMC could prove illegal.

The civic body has intensified action against vendors, stall owners, hawkers and unauthorised businesses in the city. It is seizing properties belonging to these businesses. However, a panchnama is not conducted by civic officials while seizing goods. They only film an anti-encroachment action. Deputy Municipal Commissioner and Anti-Encroachment Department Head Madhav Jagtap claimed that it is not possible to conduct a panchnama. However, it is mandatory by law to carry out a panchnama. Hence, the hawkers’ organisations and NGO Janeev have become aggressive over the issue.

What are the legal provisions ?

NGO Janeev’s Sanjay Shanke said, “The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 has been formulated to protect hawkers, hand-cart vendors. Under the provisions of the Act, the civic body has to make a list of the seized goods during an anti-encroachment drive. A copy of the same has to be given to the street vendor. The list must be undersigned by an authorized official. Later, the street vendor can take back their belongings after paying a fine.”

He added: “Moreover, the Pune City Hawkers Committee also took some decisions in 2016. It is the responsibility of the Deputy Municipal Commissioner to oversee their implementation, which is not done. The same Deputy Municipal Commissioner, who was working in 2016, is holding this responsibility now. He seems to have forgotten those decisions.”

Hawkers’ leader Balasaheb More said, “In the absence of panchanamas, the ownership of seized goods cannot be fixed. The PMC recovers charges from the licensed street vendors. However, we are not provided facilities under the law. On the one hand, the PMC recovers charges. On the other hand, it takes action against us. This is a double standard. We will launch an agitation against this policy.”