Govt must come up with comprehensive policy for rehabilitating hawkers- Ashai

Govt must come up with comprehensive policy for rehabilitating hawkers- Ashai

Everyone is against illegal encroachment but source of livelihood of hundreds of families, also responsibility of Govt.

Srinagar, 18th December (PTK): Reacting to the anti-encroachment drive by Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Senior Awami Itehad Party leader Sheeban Ashai expressed concern; enjoined Government of the day to adopt a sympathetic view while dealing with street vendors. Ashai added that no one is supporting illegal structures; encroachment or any establishment occupying road side spaces but it’s the responsibility of Government to also understand hundreds of households derive their bread and butter from such small installations. Ashai elucidated, “We are all in support for de-clogging streets and localities but present administration; most importantly concerned Municipal Corporation must also acknowledge that these road side vendors haven’t come up overnight. Adopting knee jerk response isn’t a prudent; pragmatic option, we empathetically urge Government to have a more sympathetic view over the whole issue. There is need for extensive policy for street vendors and hawkers; Government must identify specific spots within city limits for them to setup their own markets. Ashai regretted that pavements of some shops in Hari Singh High Street were demolished, it would have been more sagacious on part of the Government if traders; shopkeepers of the market could have been taken on board and situation amicably handled. We know quite well that many people were intimated beforehand by concerned departments, but onus lies with Government to take everybody along and ensure that contentious issues are cordially resolved. Ashai exhorted District Administration to bridge gap between common citizens and Government so that such issues are harmoniously sorted out”. :-PTK