Pune: SC Directs PCMC to Maintain Status Quo on the Functioning of Street Vendors

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to maintain the status quo regarding the possession and functioning of street vendors within its civic limits until the process of accommodating them is completed. The order came during a hearing on a petition filed by the Maharashtra Pheriwala Krantikari Mahasangh, an organization representing street vendors.

The petition was filed after PCMC failed to conduct a survey and issue vendor certificates, leading to vendors being deemed illegal and facing action during the civic body’s anti-encroachment drive. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, stated, “Until the exercise to accommodate the 19,792 street vendors is completed, the parties shall maintain status quo with respect to possession and functioning of the street vendors.” The court also directed PCMC to submit a compliance report within a week.

A senior PCMC official confirmed that no action would be taken against street vendors following the court’s order, and the process of issuing certificates would be prioritized. Last year’s survey identified 19,792 street vendors, with around 15,013 found eligible for vendor certificates. However, delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the labor commissioner’s inability to conduct elections for the street vendor committee slowed the process.

PCMC conducted the elections in October last year and has since issued vendor certificates, registration certificates, identity cards, and permits to 1,098 vendors. Mukesh Kolap, Assistant Commissioner and head of PCMC’s land and estate department, stated that 42 designated places across the city can accommodate 5,000-5,500 vendors, with ward offices being asked to identify additional spaces.

Kashinath Nakhate, president of Maharashtra Pheriwala Krantikari Mahasangh, welcomed the Supreme Court’s order, calling it a significant relief for street vendors who have faced uncertainty due to delayed surveys and anti-encroachment actions.