Rahul Gandhi meets hawkers in Delhi

BHUBANESWAR: In what seems to be a step towards streamlining Congress organisation in the State, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday met two senior leaders from Odisha and is reported to have discussed organisational matters.

The Congress vice president said that they street vendors were being oppressed and he would attempt to solve their problems.

“The vendors called me saying that they don’t have enough facilities”. He said that after they lost their sheds which were taken away by the civic authorities, the vendors approached him for the help and he will look into the matter and will soon find out amicable solution.

Maken said Rahul Gandhi was instrumental in the passage of Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2014, which aims to regulate street vending and protect the rights of urban street vendors.

“Latest News from State News Desk”. It also has provisions for protecting livelihood rights and social security of vendors. From calling them “suit-buit ki sarkar”, he was even more direct last week: “Prime Minister, aap Rajasthan mein khaney kyun de rahey hain?“.

Addressing a press conference later, Maken accused the Aam Admi Party government in Delhi of not properly implementing the law aimed at protection of street vendors.

“The government has directed municipal corporations not to take action against vendors, but they continue to face harassment”.

Under the law, vending certificates or licenses can be issued to up to 2.5% of a city’s population.

“We hear that vendors are being fleeced more than earlier”.