Hawkers removed from Mysuru palace vicinity; street vendors’ body seeks regulated permission to resume business

A street vendors’ association has sought the intervention of authorities following the removal of hawkers from the vicinity of Mysuru palace in the aftermath of the recent helium gas cylinder explosion which claimed three lives and injured two others.

Karnataka State Street Vendors’ Maha Mandala president Bhaskar Srinivasa Raje Urs has submitted representations to several authorities, including the State chief secretary, the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner, the Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner, and the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, seeking permission for street vendors to resume business in accordance with provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

In his representation, Mr. Urs pointed out that the Act and the rules framed under it provide for the identification of vending zones, issuance of identity cards to vendors, and compliance with safety norms, including the mandatory use of approved commercial gas cylinders for food-related activities.

According to the vendors’ body, a total of 186 street vendors — including handicraft sellers, sugarcane juice vendors, fast food outlets, tea stalls, coconut sellers, and churumuri and groundnut vendors — were removed from areas around the Mysuru palace. Of these, about 25 to 30 vendors possessed identity cards issued by the authorities, while several others had received approval from the Town Vending Committee but were yet to be issued ID cards.

The vendors’ body has assured the authorities that vendors will adhere to all prescribed norms, maintain public property within the vending zones, and comply with the conditions stipulated by the Mysuru Palace Board, including payment of the required fees.

Sharing grief

He said the vendors’ body shares the grief of the blast victims’ family members and relatives, but the removal of all street vendors including hawkers from the vicinity of the palace has seriously affected the only source of livelihood for many vendors and their families.

Many street vendors have been conducting business in the area for the last 30 to 35 years.

The last week of December is also tourism season, when street vendors try to eke out a living. The tragic explosion outside the Jayamarthanda Gate of the palace has dashed their hopes.