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“City Paralyzed by Hawkers; Government Ordered to Submit Action Plan”
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has sternly reprimanded the State Government regarding the issue of encroachment by unauthorized hawkers in the city. The Court recorded a clear observation, stating, “The government itself enacted the laws, yet they are not being implemented at all; this is a shameful matter.”
The Court questioned the government as to why, despite possessing the authority to take action against unauthorized hawkers, such action is not being carried out effectively. Expressing its displeasure, the Court noted the government's failure to provide a satisfactory response to this inquiry.
During the hearings, the Court observed that the lives of ordinary citizens have been severely disrupted due to the presence of hawkers. Incidents involving the physical assault of individuals who lodged complaints have come to light in several areas, and it was also brought to the Court's notice that one such incident even resulted in a fatality.
The government submitted that it would require seven months to constitute a Vending Committee. However, the Court rejected this stance, terming it a mere “ploy to mislead,” and explicitly stated that the underlying issue was a lack of political will.
Furthermore, it was revealed that despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of unauthorized hawkers in Mumbai, punitive action has been taken against only a few thousand. Expressing strong displeasure over this disparity, the Court remarked, “The scale of enforcement action is extremely low.”
The Court further directed the administration to furnish comprehensive details regarding all hawkers to the police, thereby enabling concrete action to be taken against encroachments. Additionally, the Court issued directives requiring the government to submit a clear and concrete action plan; the next hearing on this matter has been scheduled for the coming week.
Meanwhile, the Court also noted that the escalating encroachment by hawkers on the city's roads and footpaths is having a significant adverse impact on vehicular traffic and the daily lives of its citizens.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has sternly reprimanded the State Government regarding the issue of encroachment by unauthorized hawkers in the city. The Court recorded a clear observation, stating, “The government itself enacted the laws, yet they are not being implemented at all; this is a shameful matter.”
The Court questioned the government as to why, despite possessing the authority to take action against unauthorized hawkers, such action is not being carried out effectively. Expressing its displeasure, the Court noted the government's failure to provide a satisfactory response to this inquiry.
During the hearings, the Court observed that the lives of ordinary citizens have been severely disrupted due to the presence of hawkers. Incidents involving the physical assault of individuals who lodged complaints have come to light in several areas, and it was also brought to the Court's notice that one such incident even resulted in a fatality.
The government submitted that it would require seven months to constitute a Vending Committee. However, the Court rejected this stance, terming it a mere “ploy to mislead,” and explicitly stated that the underlying issue was a lack of political will.
Furthermore, it was revealed that despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of unauthorized hawkers in Mumbai, punitive action has been taken against only a few thousand. Expressing strong displeasure over this disparity, the Court remarked, “The scale of enforcement action is extremely low.”
The Court further directed the administration to furnish comprehensive details regarding all hawkers to the police, thereby enabling concrete action to be taken against encroachments. Additionally, the Court issued directives requiring the government to submit a clear and concrete action plan; the next hearing on this matter has been scheduled for the coming week.
Meanwhile, the Court also noted that the escalating encroachment by hawkers on the city's roads and footpaths is having a significant adverse impact on vehicular traffic and the daily lives of its citizens.
The Court questioned the government as to why, despite possessing the authority to take action against unauthorized hawkers, such action is not being carried out effectively. Expressing its displeasure, the Court noted the government's failure to provide a satisfactory response to this inquiry.
During the hearings, the Court observed that the lives of ordinary citizens have been severely disrupted due to the presence of hawkers. Incidents involving the physical assault of individuals who lodged complaints have come to light in several areas, and it was also brought to the Court's notice that one such incident even resulted in a fatality.
The government submitted that it would require seven months to constitute a Vending Committee. However, the Court rejected this stance, terming it a mere “ploy to mislead,” and explicitly stated that the underlying issue was a lack of political will.
Furthermore, it was revealed that despite the presence of hundreds of thousands of unauthorized hawkers in Mumbai, punitive action has been taken against only a few thousand. Expressing strong displeasure over this disparity, the Court remarked, “The scale of enforcement action is extremely low.”
The Court further directed the administration to furnish comprehensive details regarding all hawkers to the police, thereby enabling concrete action to be taken against encroachments. Additionally, the Court issued directives requiring the government to submit a clear and concrete action plan; the next hearing on this matter has been scheduled for the coming week.
Meanwhile, the Court also noted that the escalating encroachment by hawkers on the city's roads and footpaths is having a significant adverse impact on vehicular traffic and the daily lives of its citizens.
