Street Vendors Bill: NASVI to hold meeting with political leaders

NEW DELHI: The National Association of Street Vendors of India ( NASVI) will organise a meeting with various political leaders on Labour Day to pressurise the passage of the Street Vendors Bill in Parliament.

NASVI president Manali Shah alleged that the Bill was not passed yet because of the negative stand taken by the parties in stalling Parliament.

"Parties have their own rights to protest against and debate on issues of scam and corruption, but it is not fair to stall the passage of crucial bills having serious bearings on the bread and butter of the working poor," Shah said.

The Street Vendors Bill was initially proposed in 2004 during the Vajpayee-led NDA government. It ensures the social security, protection of livelihood and regulation of street vending.

It was subsequently revised by the UPA government in 2009. This Bill is now under the subject committee.

The passing of the Bill will stop the loot and terror of municipal bodies and police against street vendors, Arbind Singh, national co-ordinator of NASVI, said.