NHRC Asks States, UTs to Protect Street Vendors’ Livelihoods During Festive Season

The directions come ahead of major festivals including Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja in October and November. The Commission said authorities must balance the protection of vendors’ livelihood and human rights with legitimate requirements relating to public safety, fire safety and emergency access.

The NHRC’s directions cover a wide range of small vendors and artisans, including street and footpath traders, hawkers, potters, diya and idol makers and sellers, small sweet vendors, gardeners, vegetable sellers, rangoli colour sellers and others involved in traditional and seasonal trades.

The Commission has asked local administrations to facilitate such traditional businesses and support locally produced goods, in line with the government’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. It stressed that vendors should not be unnecessarily displaced or removed during the festive period.

Where relocation is unavoidable because of emergency access requirements or compelling public and fire safety concerns, authorities have been directed to provide suitable and accessible alternative vending spaces, as far as practicable, so that the affected vendors’ livelihoods are not adversely impacted.

The NHRC has also called for safeguards against arbitrary action, directing authorities to ensure that vendors are not subjected to unnecessary seizure of their goods during the festive season. Any action considered necessary must be carried out strictly in accordance with the law while taking their livelihood interests into account.

The Commission also raised concerns over complaints of harassment, extortion, coercion and other forms of undue interference involving vendors. It directed competent authorities to promptly examine such complaints and take appropriate action wherever violations are found.

The latest directions follow the NHRC’s intervention last year after complaints were received about the alleged removal of local vendors and hawkers during the festive season, along with claims of goods being seized, fines being imposed and vendors being harassed. The Commission, through a bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo, had taken cognisance of the matter and directed the concerned states and local authorities to examine the allegations and take appropriate action.

The NHRC said a similar intervention was necessary this year to ensure that the livelihood and human rights of local vendors and artisans are protected during the festive period.

The Commission has directed all Chief Secretaries to ensure that its instructions are widely circulated and effectively implemented among District Magistrates, Municipal Commissioners, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police and other relevant authorities throughout the festive season.

It has also asked authorities to submit additional or complete Action Taken Reports in pending matters by October 18.