New Delhi, Apr 15 (KNN) Without speculating that who will win the Lok Sabha Elections in 2019, the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI), an organization working for the protection of the livelihood rights of thousands of street vendors across the country, wants the wining party to implement Street Vendors’ Act 2014 in full spirit.

Street vendors who have been in existence since ancient times are often being harassed by the civic authorities and find it difficult to run their stall on the busy roads of urban cities. They are considered as unlawful entities and are subjected to continuous harassment by Police and civic authorities.

Speaking with KNN India, President of NASVI, Arvind Singh said “We want whosoever comes to power post elections must implement the street vendors act in full spirit.”

He mentioned that some parties who came to power earlier like Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had made the mockery of this street vendors’ law in Delhi. The party failed to implement it as it promised.

He said, Congress in its manifesto has promised that if they comes to power, will implement the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 across the country.

Congress party in its manifesto said “The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be implemented in letter and spirit.”

The act provides for protection of livelihoods rights, social security of street vendors, regulation of urban street vending in the country. It aims at creating a conducive atmosphere where street vendors, are able to carry out their business in a fair and transparent manner, without the fear of harassment and eviction.

While sharing other expectations, Singh said “After demonetization and GST, many people have come under the huge burden of debt. It must be the priority of upcoming government that they must help them to come out from this financial burden.”

The Lok Sabha Elections 2019 will be conducted across the country in seven phases, the first of which took place on April 11. Few states will go for 2nd phase of polls on April 18, 2019. (KNN/YV)