In the heart of Haldwani, where the aroma of spices dances with the rhythm of street life, a deeper narrative is being woven. It’s the tale of the Street Vendors Act of 2014, the vendors who anchored their hopes to it, and the labyrinth of surveys that threatened to engulf their dreams.

2014 wasn’t just a year; it was a promise. The Street Vendors Act was more than legislation; it was a dream crystallized. It pledged vendors a rightful place in the urban sprawl, a shield against harassment, and a voice in the city’s evolution. For the first time, the vendors felt acknowledged.

Parmod Agnihotri, a street vendor and now their beacon of hope, recalls the initial euphoria, “We thought the dawn had arrived,” his voice echoing the collective aspirations of thousands.

But as the days unfolded, the Act’s shimmer began to fade, overshadowed by a series of surveys that seemed never-ending. The very mechanism meant to recognize and legitimize vendors became their Achilles’ heel.

The Nagar Nigam, over seven years, initiated four surveys. Each one promised clarity, but all they delivered was more confusion. The first survey in 2013-14, conducted by the Nagar Nigam itself, was left incomplete. Then came a company named Jan Sarthak Sanskriti Seva Samiti, which surveyed a mere 1428 individuals, leaving the task unfinished. The third attempt was by a Delhi-based company, which, despite its promise to redo the survey and establish Detailed Project Reports (DPR) and Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), faltered due to unforeseen lockdowns. The fourth, conducted using GPS technology by Kiran Software Solutions, showed some promise, but the exclusion of TVC and other ‘sangathans’ from the process raised eyebrows.

Each survey, instead of bringing clarity, muddied the waters further. Vendors, who had been setting up shop for decades, found themselves reclassified or left out entirely. The promise of the Act seemed to be slipping through their fingers.

But adversity often breeds unity. The vendors, instead of being disheartened, rallied. They formed the ‘Thela for Vendors Kalyan Samiti’. With Parmod at the helm and the National Hawker Federation by their side, they decided to navigate the maze.

They turned to the Act, using it as both shield and sword. They filed a PIL in the High Court, demanding their rightful place. Protests, rallies, and gatherings became their voice, ensuring they were heard.

Harish Chandra Maheshwari, another vendor, passionately states, “We might not know every clause of the Act, but we know our rights. And we’ll fight for them.”

The journey of Haldwani’s street vendors is emblematic of the larger struggle for rights and recognition. The Street Vendors Act of 2014, despite its potential, remains mired in challenges. But for the vendors, it’s a beacon they’ll follow, come rain or shine.

In the heart of Haldwani, amidst the daily hustle, a revolution is simmering. It’s a testament to resilience, unity, and hope. And at its core is a simple message: promises must be kept, and dreams must be realized!

Source: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2023/08/a-tale-of-unending-surveys-haldwanis-vendors-the-act-of-2014/

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