Urban street vendors an evaluative study of government and non government initiatives in Shimla city

Abstract

The present research study is a descriptive study based on empirical and exploratory research methods. The rationale behind the selection of Shimla city for this study is Shimla city being the popular tourist destination in the world, Shimla Municipal Corporation being one of the oldest Municipal Corporations of India and is a largest Municipality of Himachal Pradesh. The research study is an attempt to explore socio-economic, demographic aspects of street vendors, problems faced by these vendors, government and non-government initiatives for their socioeconomic empowerment, social security measures, addressing their concern and problem faced during street vending from enforcement agencies including seizure, confiscating their goods, challans and inhuman atrocities in the streets. The study has also explored much deeper into the role played by their street vendor s federations, associations and unions for social support while addressing their conflicts with police and municipal authorities. In addition, the awareness and sensitization on Street Vending (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 among street vendors community along with the status of implementation of the various provisions of the act has also been studied. Thus this study in a holistic view, attempted to explore the life, reasons behind opting street vending, working conditions, risks, livelihood issues, association with their unions social security and the existing legal framework within the frame of newly enacted street vendors act, 2014 by taking into consideration various social indicators including Human Rights, Gender, Culture, Migration etc.