National Policy on Urban Street Vendors

Street vendors provide valuable services to the urban masses while eking out a living through their own enterprise, limited resources and labour. They facilitate convenient, efficient and cost-effective distribution of goods and services to the public. They also contribute significantly to local economic growth and vitality of the urban economies. This Policy recognizes that street vendors constitute an integral and legitimate part ofthe urban retail trade and distribution
system for daily necessities of the general public. As the street vendors assist the Government in combating unemployment and poverty, it is the duty of the State to protect the right of these micro-entrepreneurs to earn an honest living. Accordingly, the Policy aims to ensure that this important occupational group of the urban population finds due recognition at national, state and local levels for its contribution to the society. The Policy is meant to foster a congenial environment for the urban street vendors to carry out their activities. It is conceived as part of a major national initiative towards the alleviation of poverty in cities and towns.