On 7th of March 2003, National Alliance of Street Vendors India (NASVI) organized a one day workshop of street vendors. Street Vendors organisations from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh,Chandigarh participated in this workshop. It was first time that NASVI had planned a workshop in this region. The workshop was divided into two session. First session was allotted to the invited dignitaries to express their point of view. The second session was utilised for the experience gathering for street vendors who come from different states. An activist from NASVI Mr Vighnesh Jha played the role of moderator. To conduct the workshop. After inauguration and brief introduction of the participants imminent personalities shed the lights on the working conditions, problems faced by the street vendors in his day to day life. Deputy Mayor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation welcomed the participants and pledeged his support to the cause of street vendors. Rajkumar Chandolia said about the creation of "Chandigarh Footpath Sangarsh Samiti". Due to their intense struggle and pressure Chandigarh govt had awaken from the deep slumber and conducted a survey on the status of street vendors.Overall 2274 street vendors had been surveyed. They have also got assurance that street vendors will not be disturbed and as soon as possible kiosks will be allotted to them. NASVI Coordinator Mr Arbind Singh had unwinded the grief and joy street vendors faced as a street vendors. He said that most of the time unfavourable decisions are cited by the govt but they rarely come out with a favourable decisions. He also described about the formation of task force and drafting committee by Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation to prepare a national policy for street vendors. Further he outlined the basic framework of national policy, like definition of street vendors, introduction of system of registration etc. Advancing the thread further he also spoke about the problems in getting small scale loans by street vendors. On behalf of traffic SP of Chandigarh, Inspector Ramgopal attended in the workshop. In his address Mr Ramgopal said that he personally understand and share the grief of street vendors. Like all human beings they are a part of society and caters valuable service. But as a part of system, police too has to perform his duties to make city impediment free for large number of commuters. He didn't deny a conflict between police and street vendors but he pointed that in Chandigarh atleast conditions of street vendors are not so pathetic. We have been helping them on a regular basis. He requested the street vendors be sensitive about these sense of responsibility. Mr B.S.Lal an officer from Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has said that national policy is finally on the table of parliament. He talked about the poor conditions of slum dwellers and stressed the fact that both these problems are interrelated. In Chandigarh alone 30% of population live in slum. Situations in slums must be improved which will help to improve the conditions of street vendors.They all are the part of unorganized sector, who substantially contributing to the economy. Further he had cited an example of "Swarnjayanti Rojgar Yojna" launched by the Indian Govt to reduce the level of poverty. On the question of availability of small scale loans, Mr Lal said that Banks are trying their best to provide loans to the street vendors. He further reiterated that to seek loans, street vendors now should not show their security coverage. Mr Balkrishna Pappi from Ludhiyana expressed his concern that inspite of all sort of assurances, street vendors are being punished everyday every where. He had demanded designation of hawking and non hawking Zones. After that Mr Lal again talked about the problem of continuous flow of people in a Chandigarh city. Every year more than three lakhs migrant workers come to meet their basic needs in the city which create a huge burden on the city administration. He also urged to them to pay taxes on regular interval and be a law obedient citizen. Mr Pyarelal from Jallundher said that there is a vast difference between making and executing a programme. In between of workshop administrative officer Mr K.S.Raju said that he can't explain the amount of pleasure he is getting while participating in this workshop. One of the reason is because he belong to the class of street vendors. In his address he differentiated between a planned and unplanned city. Most of the problems arise in the unplanned cities, but even in a planned city these problems occur. He had given assurance that he will be always available for them, whenever street vendors come to him, he will listen them to redress their problem. Shri Ramji from Rohtak expressed his concern about heavy fines imposed by the civil authorities of Chandigarh. Several times goods were collected but never returned to them. In between, coordinator NASVI lamented the city town planner for their obsession with Singapore models of urban development. He recalled the meeting organized in Mumbai with the help of ILO, where Mr Khairnar expressed his concern about the plight of street vendors. According to one estimate, more than 200 hundred crores of rupees were given by street vendors to the local local goons for protection of their business.Futher Mr Arbind Singh elaborated a court case running in the state of Bihar for last thirteen years where various verdicts were delivered by the courts but these decisions were never been implemented. During liberlisation cities has became a heaven for powerful class only.

A video documentary made by Madhu Kishwar on street vendors shown to the participants. After the documentary participants from various state shared their experience in a brief maner. Mr Subhash Chawla from Ludhiyana appealed to the house that NASVI representatives should pay visit to the Ludhiyana. Mr Vighnesh Jha asked them how they are coping with the situation. Mr Chawla reiterated that most of the time hoodlums come and want few kilos of fruits free of cost. He also demanded the repealing of Act 283. This is an act introduced by the Britishers still existing in our country. Shri Purshottam Sood from Shimla thanked NASVI for its effort. Narrating experience of Shimla he said that in 'lomy bazaar' of Shimla more than 100 vendors have been deprived from their source of employment. He requested NASVI to organize a workshop in Shimla to create awareness among them. Preetam Singh of Chandigarh said that it's a long drawn battle in a Chandigarh. Most of time fines imposed upon them are quite substantial. Sometimes politicians comes to rescue them some times they just tend to forget them .In a present scenario it is difficult for them to survive.

Pyarelal from Gurdaspur reiterated his demand to conduct a workshop at the city and district level also. He talked about the black days of in Punjab when terrorism was on his peak. That time former Lokshabha speaker Mr Balram Jhakar and Mohsina kidwai helped them and they were properly rehabilitated by the administration. In a current scenario, they are again facing a risk of deprivation from their shops and kiosks. Municipality is creating several problems for them. Instead of giving monthly slip of tax payment, they are giving them on a daily basis. INTUC President Mr Rampal Sharma talks about that how street vendors have been cheated by the various political parties. Futher he narrated that how under the Prime Ministership of late Rajiv Gandhi more than 2000 vendors were rehabilitated. Radheyshyam Maniyar from Sonipat also elaborated his experience. He shared the plight of bangle selling women of Sonipat. He described the several efforts he had taken for them like opening of training school, as well as registration of a political party for their empowerment. Whenever a new District Commissioner take a charge in his district they used to present a packet of bangle to him as a token of gift and friendship. It helps them to get rid from local goons and torturous police constables. He also demanded a reservation for them. He stressed the need of hiring a lawyer for them . He also introduced a new concept for street vendors "Chadthe KATO" means those who are in power make an alliance with them. He also highlighted importance of Maniyaris without Maniyari there will be no wedding, no marriage ceremony. He requested NASVI to pursue Indian government to make a law for the street vendors regulation of businesses. Tej Singh said that street vendors are earning their bread and butter in a highly dignified and honest manner. They are not thiefs or thugs or an unwanted element of the society. But daily harassment and snatching of their applecart are routine. In between Coordinator NASVI intervened and said that NASVI has been not influenced by caste and religion manner. NASVI is highly focused on issues related to the street vendors only. Here he spoke about the need of a permanent structure of NASVI which is taking place gradually. He outlined the some of the basic features of NASVI constitution which is in process of being formulated. Some features are

General Council
Executive Committee

One annual meeting (where members of executive committee will get elected. It will consists of 1/3sreet vendors, +1/3 women+1/3 others.

There will be one President, Two Vice President, 1 Coordinator, 2 Secretary and 1 Treasurer. Replying queries about the getting a registration and membership he said that any organization registered or unregistered working among street vendors can become a member of NASVI. In concluding sessions, participants discussed the future and strategic planning of NASVI. It was decided that there will be series of district and city meetings/workshop in a Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. There should be appropriate training to street vendors to enhance their capacity building to increase their work efficiency. Representatives present in the meeting also took responsibility of mobilizing street vendor organization from nearby districts.