Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam on Monday questioned the crackdown on alleged Bangladeshi hawkers in Mumbai, asking the Mumbai Police Commissioner to disclose how many illegal Bangladeshi hawkers had actually been identified in the city.
Addressing reporters, Nirupam said action should certainly be taken against illegal Bangladeshi hawkers, but alleged that legitimate Indian hawkers were being targeted in the process.
“Action should be taken against Bangladeshi hawkers. But in their name, action is being taken on Indians who are into hawking. The Mumbai Police Commissioner should tell us how many Bangladeshi hawkers have been found,” Nirupam said.
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The issue of action against alleged Bangladeshi hawkers has emerged as a key talking point since the BJP-led administration assumed control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation around two-and-a-half months ago.
Nirupam claimed that elected representatives were exerting pressure on civic authorities to remove hawkers, resulting in the loss of livelihoods for many legitimate vendors. Citing an example, he said a flower seller from Mumbai approached him after allegedly facing action due to pressure from a BJP MLA in Borivali.
“A lady who sold flowers came to me. She is a Maharashtrian and has lost her livelihood. So there is no question of Marathi versus non-Marathi. Many such hawkers are losing their livelihood,” he said.
Nirupam, along with a delegation representing Mumbai hawkers, met BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and discussed implementation of provisions under the Town Vending Act.
According to Nirupam, a survey conducted under the Act identified 99,435 hawkers as eligible vendors. He said the civic body had agreed to issue QR codes to these hawkers to protect them from harassment and establish their legal status.
He also noted that 20 locations in Mumbai, including areas within 150 metres of railway stations, have been designated as no-hawking zones. Eligible vendors operating outside these restricted areas would be issued QR codes.
On the broader issue of illegal immigration, Nirupam said citizens have a right to know how many Bangladeshi immigrants have been identified in Mumbai.
“As a citizen, I have the right to know how many Bangladeshis have been traced. Our political class is not paying attention to the issues of the poor, which is why I have come forward to raise the concerns of hawkers and taxi-rickshaw drivers,” he said.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
