Vendors on the roadside in Dimapur town. (Morung file Photo)
• Raises concern over misuse of Street Vendors Act
• Demands clarity on Sunday closure diktats
• Urges legal basis for business directives
Dimapur, November 4 (MExN): The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) has urged the state government to immediately constitute and operationalise Town Vending Committees (TVCs) across Nagaland, alleging misuse of the Street Vendors Act, 2014, by certain private associations.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary dated October 27, CNCCI said the absence of functional TVCs has created a vacuum in which private bodies are allegedly exercising undue control over vendors and businesses. These practices reportedly include compulsory membership, unauthorised fines and penalties, and directives requiring establishments to close on Sundays.
“The implementation of the Act must remain within the authority of competent statutory bodies and government agencies,” CNCCI said in the letter, signed by General Secretary Avi Chase and Chairman Dr Khekugha Muru.
The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, provides a framework for regulating street vending, protecting vendors' livelihoods, identifying vending zones, and addressing related issues through mechanisms such as TVCs.
CNCCI demanded that the government direct all Municipal and Town Councils to immediately constitute and operationalise TVCs in accordance with the Act and applicable Nagaland Rules. It also sought clear public definition of each TVC's composition, powers, functions and responsibilities, with due representation of street vendors and other stakeholders as prescribed by law.
It further asked the government to ensure that vendor registration, surveys, vending zones, regulation and grievances are handled through competent authorities and legally prescribed procedures, and to establish accessible grievance-redressal mechanisms.
“CNCCI recognises the legitimate role of associations in representing their members and promoting collective welfare. However, such representation must not be converted into coercive control over individuals or businesses,” it stated.
The body said reports of compulsory membership, unauthorised fines, and unilateral directives affecting business operations warrant serious examination, asserting that no private association should assume regulatory, enforcement or statutory powers not lawfully conferred upon it.
Accordingly, CNCCI requested the government to direct competent authorities to investigate complaints of forced membership, unauthorised financial demands, penalties and coercive directives, and to take appropriate action wherever violations are established.
It also sought clear instructions to all Municipal and Town Councils, police authorities and other departments to prevent private associations from exercising powers reserved for statutory authorities or unlawfully interfering with legitimate business activities and livelihoods.
“Any alleged violation of the law [should be] dealt with through due process by the competent authority, rather than through private enforcement, intimidation or arbitrary penalties,” CNCCI said.
The body asked the government to clarify that protection afforded to street vendors under the Act cannot be interpreted as authorising private associations to impose compulsory membership, collect unauthorised fines or exercise powers beyond their lawful jurisdiction.
On Sunday closure, CNCCI said it “neither endorses nor opposes Sunday closure as a matter of principle,” but asserted that any direction affecting business operations must have a valid legal basis and be issued or enforced only by the competent authority under applicable law.
“The Government should immediately clarify the diktat issues by some associations in local daily newspapers,” it said.
CNCCI requested the Chief Secretary's office to issue time-bound directions to the Department of Urban Development and all Municipal and Town Councils for the constitution and operationalisation of TVCs and the establishment of effective grievance-redressal mechanisms. It also sought investigation and action against any unlawful or coercive practices by organisations or associations exercising powers beyond their lawful jurisdiction.
