The Kerala High Court has directed the State Government to attach the families of Street Vendors, already identified by the Cochin Municipal Corporation, to the nearest Community Kitchens operated by the State Government.
A single Judge bench of the Kerala High Court presided by Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar was hearing a batch of petitions dealing with the issue of regulation of street vendors within the limits of the Cochin Corporation.
Dr. KP Pradeep, the Amicus Curiae informed the bench that due to the COVID 19 lockdown, the street vendors have not been able to earn their livelihood through vending activities and, as a result, their families are deprived of food and other essential commodities, including medicines.
The Amicus Curiae further submitted that “while the State Government has announced various relief measures for other vendors who were carrying on business in the State, the street vendors have been selectively discriminated and denied the benefits of such relief measures.”
Ranjith Thampan, the Additional Advocate General for the State of Kerala submitted that while there can be no difficulty in attaching the families of the identified street vendors of the Cochin Corporation to the nearest Community Kitchens being operated by the State Government, the payment of an amount of Rs.1000/- by the State Government is presently contemplated only to those persons who are not covered by an Social Welfare Benefit scheme and who fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.”
The bench has directed the State Government to ensure that the families of street vendors are given sufficient ration of essential items of food and medicine during the lockdown period and further subject to a formal announcement of the decision of the State Government, an amount of Rs.1000/- will also be paid to those among the identified street vendors of the Cochin Corporation, who fall under the BPL category of persons.
The bench has listed the matter for next hearing in June 2020.
–India Legal Bureau