PCMC Faces Backlash Over Delay in Issuing Hawker Certificates and ID Cards
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 1st July 2024: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) conducted a survey of hawkers and vendors in the city over a year ago. Despite this, they have yet to issue certificates and identity cards to the surveyed hawkers or allocate proper vending spaces. This delay has caused significant disappointment among the affected individuals. PCMC officials state that they have forwarded the hawkers’ names to the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board for finalization.
Following court orders and the Hawkers Policy, PCMC conducted a survey of all hawkers and small-scale sellers from 1st November 2022 to January 2023 through a private agency. The names of 18,603 hawkers were registered. Following that, PCMC ward offices published a list of hawkers, allowing for suggestions, objections, and a hearing. During this process, concerns were raised about the inclusion of fake hawkers in the survey. PCMC ward office officials conducted investigations and verified all applications.
The slow administrative process of PCMC has resulted in the delay in issuing certificates and identity cards and establishing designated hawker zones. This has led to widespread disappointment. Ward offices and the Land and Estates Department of PCMC have been criticized for their lack of implementation in this matter.
The absence of certificates and identity cards exposes hawkers to PCMC’s encroachment actions, forcing them to pay fines. Regular hawkers are bearing the brunt of this situation. Once hawkers receive their certificates and identity cards, these fines can potentially be waived.
Avinash Shinde, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of the Land and Estates Department of PCMC, stated, “The list of eligible hawkers from the survey has been transferred to the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board. Once we receive approval from them, we will issue identity cards and certificates to the eligible hawkers.”
### PCMC Charges for Hawker Zone
Upon relocation to designated hawker zones, PCMC will charge vendors rent for the space provided. Daily fees will range from Rs. 30 to Rs. 150, while monthly fees will range from Rs. 750 to Rs. 3,450, depending on the location. Additionally, there is a registration fee of Rs. 1,000, a certificate fee of Rs. 200, and an ID card fee of Rs. 200. Failure to pay rent will result in fines, and non-compliance may lead to the cancellation of registration certificates.
