Street vendors being asked to stop work in Delhi ahead of BRICS: NASVI

Street vendors in several parts of Delhi are being asked to stop vending ahead of the BRICS Summit, claimed the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) urging authorities to ensure security arrangements do not come at the cost of their livelihoods.

According to NASVI, vendors in areas including India Gate, Madangir, Bhikaji Cama Place, Vasant Vihar, Saket and R K Puram have reported being asked by police personnel not to put up their stalls or continue vending activities. In Madangir, vendors have also alleged that their goods were confiscated.

The organisation said restrictions continuing through September 13 could leave vendors and their families without earnings for several days, at a time when rising prices and household expenses were already putting pressure on their livelihoods.

“While security and traffic arrangements are an essential part of hosting an international summit, the burden of these preparations cannot be placed disproportionately on street vendors whose daily income is their only source of livelihood,” NASVI said.

Paan Singh, a street vendor from Vasant Vihar, said vendors understood the need for security arrangements but needed an alternative if they were prevented from working.

“We should not have to choose between supporting our families and allowing the government to prepare for an event,” he said.

NASVI National Coordinator Arbind Singh said an international summit should not become a reason to disrupt the livelihoods of thousands of working people.

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“Street vendors cannot be treated as something that needs to be hidden whenever India wants to showcase its cities to the world,” he said.

The organisation said it does not oppose necessary security arrangements for the summit but called for authorities to engage with vendors in advance, clearly communicate restrictions and provide alternative vending arrangements wherever temporary curbs are required.

NASVI also sought an immediate end to “unnecessary harassment” of vendors and said any security-related restrictions should be proportionate and time-bound. It urged authorities to establish a mechanism to address economic losses suffered by vendors whose businesses are disrupted by summit-related arrangements.