Bombay High Court Rebukes Government over Vendor Act

The Bombay High Court criticized the Maharashtra government for not fully implementing the Street Vendors Act. The court expressed frustration over the blame game between the state authorities and the Mumbai civic body, and emphasized the urgent need for a practical solution to alleviate the suffering of citizens due to unauthorised hawkers. A scheme must be formulated by September 30.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday criticized the Maharashtra government for its failure to fully implement the provisions of an Act against unauthorized hawkers, instead of engaging in a blame game with the Mumbai civic body, while citizens continue to suffer.

The HC expressed frustration over the non-execution of its orders, warning that it would not hesitate to exercise contempt jurisdiction if necessary. A division bench noted that despite the introduction of the Street Vendors Act a decade ago, the authorities have not acted, inconveniencing citizens with unauthorised hawkers on public roads.

The bench emphasized the “unfortunate and sad” lack of enforcement of a Parliamentary enactment since 2014 and called on the state government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to stop blaming each other. It directed the state government to formulate a scheme by September 30 to address the issue.