Street Vendors Act to be implemented in Nagaland soon, says official

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 29 (EMN): Acknowledging the crucial role played by the women street vendors, Secretary (judicial) of Justice and Law department Nino Iralu said they constitute an important section in the society.

Iralu stated this while addressing the felicitation programme organised by Entrepreneurs’ Associate (EA) for ‘Women street vendors achieving INR 10,000 thrift’-cum-training on digital transaction and financial literacy under PM SVANidhi at the Red Cross conference hall, Kohima, on Thursday.

Iralu expounded the various roles and contributions made by the women street vendors towards the society in bringing foods and services making it accessible for the people, providing jobs to labourers, enabling transporters and paying house rent. She added that they also contribute to the government revenue by paying taxes and license, contribute to the family and community.

Stating that the services of the vendors are not only confined to themselves but to the whole society at large, she encouraged women street vendors not to feel low of themselves but consider as an important section of the society.

The official also informed that the Parliament of India, had in 2014, passed “Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014,” and told that the same would soon be implemented in Nagaland and enable the vendors get what they are entitled to.

Also speaking on the occasion, EA advisor Neikule Doulo said the initiative for women street vendors started in 2017 and currently over 2000 of them have their saving account from across the state. She informed that the programme is now operational in seven districts namely Kohima, Phek, Mokokchung, Wokha, Peren, Dimapur and Tuensang, and added that it would also be expanded to other districts.

She informed that some women vendors have even saved more than INR 1,00,000 in their account while some have purchased plot of land for themselves.

According to Doulo, there are three categories where women street vendors buy from wholesaler; some produce from own farm while some deal in wholesaling by procuring from producer/ farmers and sell to street vendors. She stated that each category has its own share of challenges like finding a place to sell, lack of transportation services, toilet facilities and proper drinking water.

She also said that women from rural areas mostly face transportation problem as they depend on NST buses which at times break down due to the dilapidated road conditions. She informed that EA would soon launch a bus service exclusively for women vendors to transport their products which would be operational from Phek district to Kohima-Dimapur.

“A lot of our women have been badly affected because of this pandemic and many of them could not continue with their businesses,” said Doulo.
She informed that EA had conducted a survey and found that many of the women were surviving on day-to-day basis. She said that EA decided to help some identified women with its ‘pay back environment’ programme — ‘Trees for wealth’ and that the identified women were paid to grow saplings and nursery in their gardens and backyard to enable them to get back on their feet.

She further informed that EA has planned to organise a “Street vendors summit 2021” to provide a platform for vendors across the state to deliberate on the problems they face and also chalk-out policies and plans to take up with the government.

On the occasion, 54 women street vendors were awarded a bonus of INR 2000 each for crossing the INR 1000 thrift (savings). Five highest savers namely Khonbeni (INR 1,77,000), Mudovolu (INR 1,49,600), Shekhozolu (INR 1,41,300), Vekhohulu Tetseo (INR 1,40,500) and Shaile Hau (INR 1,00,000) were also awarded.

‘The best active members’ award were given to Krureino Chusi (Mezoma village), Megosabi-u Kuotsu (Khonoma village); Rokovotso Semo (Jotsoma village) and Shaile Hau (Mao market).