A delegation from the CPIML met with the Patna Division Commissioner today, seeking urgent intervention over the ongoing eviction of street vendors. The delegation included Mahboob Alam, leader of the CPI(ML) legislative group, along with central committee member and Patna city secretary Abhyuday, Punit Pathak, and street vendor union leaders, including Shehzade Alam, who submitted a memorandum to Commissioner Mayank Varwade.
In the meeting CPIML raised the issue of the growing police repression on urban poor, particularly the street vendors under the guise of removal of encroachments campaign by administration throughout Patna. The campaign is being carried out as part of the 'Smart City', metro projects, and urban beautification initiatives, but it has resulted in mass displacement of vendors from their stalls without offering any alternative arrangements.
After the discussion, Mahboob Alam said that the Commissioner assured that a high-level meeting would soon be called to address the grievances of the vendors. However, he also warned that if the administration fails to act on the issue, the government should be ready for a larger scale of protests.
Abhyuday, Patna city secretary of CPI(ML), criticised the failure of the Patna Municipal Corporation to take any significant action in response to repeated demands by vendors. He pointed out that the actions of the municipal corporation, contrary to the laws protecting the livelihoods of urban poor, are exposing the hollowness of the ruling government's rhetoric of 'development with justice'.
The delegation presented the following demands:
1. Full adherence to the Centre and State’s Street Vendor Act, ensuring the rights of street vendors.
2. Cease the eviction of street vendors without a proper alternative arrangement.
3. Establish designated vending zones in all markets, replacing vendor identity cards with vending licenses.
4. Secure permanent arrangements for street vendors, with fair and transparent fee structures.
5. Create vending zones around all major and small markets in Patna.
6. Establish a vending zone in the multi-level hub being developed near Patna station.
7. Proper organisation of all footpath vendors with designated white and red marks for identification.
8. Halt illegal extortion by municipal workers and local goons.
9. Introduce a fair system for levying reasonable fees from vendors.
10. Ensure a mandatory inventory list is created during the confiscation of goods while evicting vendors.
11. Stop the attacks on vendors' livelihoods under the guise of ‘Smart City’, metro projects, and beautification efforts.
The delegation also included Mohammad Vikku, a leader of the street vendors, and CPI(ML) member Nishant.
