Aurangabad, April 14:
Chief minister Udhav Thackeray has announced the implementation of lockdown in the state from Wednesday evening. He also declared a financial help of Rs 1500 to each street vendor so that his personal life is not affected during the lockdown. The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has the registration of 14,103 street vendors/hawkers, but it is not yet clear on which basis or parameters the financial help will be provided and by whom?
It may be noted that the AMC had conducted a survey of vendors during the last year. It succeeded in registering the above numbers of vendors/hawkers during the first phase. According to AMC sources, it is not clear on what parameters and basis the financial assistance will be provided to street vendors. The district collector would be authorised to distribute the fund. The AMC will have to just submit the list as per its survey. Meanwhile, there is also no mention of whether the money will be deposited directly in the accounts of beneficiaries or will be given in cash. The final decision in this regard is likely to be taken in a couple of days.
According to the hawkers, " It would be too early to comment on it till the money reaches in our hands. We fear that the genuine hawkers could be ditched by citing various rules and regulations. The survey conducted by the AMC was in a hurry. Many hawkers/vendors had gone to their native places during the lockdown and the civic body failed to register their names when they returned back. Hence a large number of vendors is likely may not get financial benefit,
stressed Rajendra Mhaske, Ayaz Shaikh and Rajendra Pawar. The government should deposit the money in their accounts as it could be used conveniently during the lockdown period, they said.