Jayanagar street vendors face 'illegal eviction' from BBMP

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Street vendors in Jayanagar, 4th block are facing eviction, without any prior notice or discussion with the vendor's committee, which is a blatant violation of the Street Vendors (Livelihood Protection and Control) Act, 2014.

This act prohibits the eviction or relocation of street vendors without prior notice, yet over 400- 500 vendors now find themselves without a source of livelihood.

The vendors, affiliated with the Bengaluru District Street Traders Union and operating legally in the area since 2018, are in shock and distress. Despite having decades of business experience, many vendors are now facing eviction orders from BBMP zonal commissioner, Vinoth Priya.

Swaminathan, a longstanding shop owner, rightfully questions the commissioner's authority and voices concerns about their livelihood, despite not having violated any laws.

The zonal commissioner insists on immediate eviction on November 7 without notice. However, according to Section 18 of the Street Vendors Act, written notice is legally required before removing any street vendor, contradicting her stance.

The vendors are now scared and worried, as they do not know where they will go if they are evicted. They say that they are doing business according to the law and that they have not committed any crime.

They have appealed to the BBMP to give them a fair hearing and to allow them to continue their business. Advocate Vinay Sreenivasa told News Trail, “The zonal commissioner is insisting that she will be evicting the vendors. If she doesn't budge the next logical step is to file a case at the high court. But how many cases will we take to the court and not everyone can approach the court.”

The street vendors of Jayanagar, Bangalore, tried to protest outside the BDA complex on November 6, to demand that the BBMP reconsider its decision to evict them without notice.

However, they were told to leave by the police, who threatened to arrest them for protesting without permission.

Vendors call for authorities to avoid illegal threats

Subramani, another vendor who has had a shop for over 40 years said, “We are innocent just trying to survive and what is happening to us is a grave injustice.” he also added that they have been functioning for decades without causing inconvenience the public and suddenly they can evict us without any reason or notice.

Swaminathan added, “We will fight for the injustice happening to us and take this to the Cheif Minister, Deputy CM, Police, court and do whatever in our power to fight for our rights.”

The BBMP's decision to evict these street vendors without notice represents a clear violation of their rights and the spirit of the Street Vendors Act, which was established to protect their livelihoods and ensure fair treatment.

BBMP’s clearance operation

The BBMP is removing footpath vendors as part of a clearance operation, causing frustration among the vendors.

Tushar Giri Nath, the Chief Commissioner has instructed officials to clear footpaths of encroachments, in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru South, and Bengaluru East zones.

Previous clearance efforts in Mahadevapura and Malleswaram had already upset traders, and now the footpath vendors plan to appeal to the BBMP chief commissioner to halt further evictions.

(With inputs from Tejas S)