Socio-Economic Conditions of Street Food Vendors - With Special Reference to Tiruchendur Area

Street vending as a profession has been in existence in India since time immemorial. Some studies estimate that street vendors approximately 2% of the population of a metropolis. The total number of street vendors in the country is estimated at around 1 Crore. Urban vending is not only a source of employment but provide affordable services to the majority of urban population. The role played by the hawkers in the economy as also in the society need to be given due credit but they are considered as unlawful entities and are subjected to continuous harassment by police and civic authorities. This is reported to be continuing even after the ruling of the Supreme Court that “if properly regulated according to the exigency of the circumstances, the small traders on the sidewalks considerable add to the comfort and convenience of the general public, by making available ordinary articles of everyday use for a comparatively lesser price. An ordinary person not very affluent, while hurrying towards his home after a day’s work can pick up those articles without going out of his way to find a regular market. The right to carry on trade or business mentioned in Article 19(1) of the constitution 1 on street pavements, if properly regulated cannot be denied on the ground that the street is meant exclusively for passing or re-passing and no other use”. Street vendors provide valuable service to the urban population while trying to earn a livelihood and it is the duty of the state to protect the right of this segment of population to earn their livelihood this policy aims to ensure that this important section of the urban population finds recognition for its contribution to society, and is conceived of as a major initiative for urban poverty alleviation”.