Question : NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON URBAN STREET VENDORS



(a) whether there has been a National workshop on Urban Street Vendors;

(b) if so, the details in this regard; and

(c) the details of the issues discussed in the said workshop and the decisions taken therein?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN EMPLOYMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( KUMARI SELJA )

(a)to(c): Yes, Sir. A one day National Workshop on Urban Street Vendors was organized by the Ministry of Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation on 19th October, 2005 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop was attended by the senior officials of the State Governments including Commissioners of some of the selected cities, representatives of NGOs and other stakeholders from various Central Government Departments.

A wide range of issues concerning urban street vendors were deliberated upon during the workshop. Some of the major issues deliberated upon were social security cover for street vendors, access to credit to them from financial institutions, there rehabilitation, need for training and skill development and creation of a data base in the States. There was a consensus in the Workshop amongst the stakeholders to provide and promote a more supportive environment to the street vendors for earning their livelihoods.