The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is set to launch the ‘Main Bhi Digital (me too digital)’ initiative for street vendors. This move is aimed at digitizing payments for this group, facilitating both payment acceptance and transactions digitally. The motivation for this drive stems from the successful implementation of the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PMSVANidhi) scheme, a microcredit provision program that was initiated in the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Main Bhi Digital Drive Details
The Main Bhi Digital campaign will run from 4th January to 22nd January 2021. It aims to train over 1 million street vendors across the country who have benefitted from a Rs. 10,000 loan. These vendors will be educated on how to conduct digital payments, allowing them not only to receive payments but also to facilitate purchases from sellers using unique QR codes.
To ensure the smooth running of this initiative, the mobile phones of the vendors will be installed with the necessary software for transactions. In addition, they will be trained on how to make safe and secure payments.
Overview of the PMSVANidhi Scheme
The PMSVANidhi scheme was initiated by the MoHUA in June 2020. It offered street vendors an interest-free loan of Rs. 10,000 as working capital to revive their businesses. However, current data suggests that only 20% of the beneficiaries are digitally enabled.
Insight into Street Vendors in India
In India, individuals without permanent shops are considered street vendors. Government statistics suggest that street-vending constitutes 14% of total non-agricultural urban informal employment in the country. The country is home to an estimated 50-60 lakh street vendors, with significant populations in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.
Challenges Faced by Street Vendors
One of the key issues faced by street vendors is the unrealistic capping of licenses in many cities. For instance, in Mumbai, there is a cap of 15,000 licenses against an estimated 2.5 lakh vendors. This means most vendors operate illegally, making them susceptible to exploitation and extortion by local law enforcement and municipal authorities. Moreover, local agencies frequently drive evictions to clear pavements of encroachments and confiscate goods. Recovery fines are often hefty.
Organizations Supporting Street Vendors
Several organizations are working to support street vendors across India. These include the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) and the National Hawker Federation (NHF). NASVI comprises over 1,024 street vendor organizations representing about 10,00,000 vendors across India. The NHF encompasses 1,188 Unions from 28 states, including 11 Central Trade Unions and over 20 International Trade Unions abroad.
Additional Initiatives for Street Vendors
The government has introduced various measures to safeguard the livelihoods of street vendors. For example, The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, was enacted to regulate and protect the rights of street vendors.
The government has also initiated the first-ever official socio-economic survey of vendors. This is to bring these vendors under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jan-Dhan Yojana, Building and Other Construction Workers Act 1996, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
Improving the Condition of Street Vendors
Despite numerous schemes in place for street vendors, several areas need attention for improved implementation, identification, awareness, and accessibility of these initiatives. Benefits such as maternity allowances, accident relief, natural death compensation, education support for children’s higher studies, and pension during crises should be provided to them in a timely manner.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024