Raphael Warjri

The Government of Meghalaya has notified the 'Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of
Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023' vide Notification No. UAU.
71/2023/35 dated 25.10.2023 framed under the provisions of the "Street Vendors (Protection of
Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014". The scheme aims to protect street
vendors and regularize street vending while providing a supportive environment to carry out
their vocation. It provides for implementation of a fair and transparent allocation process for
vending spaces, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all without discrimination. It also
provides guidelines to adhere to health and safety regulations, ensuring public well-being.
The Scheme also laid down the procedures for identification and registration of street
vendors through a transparent in-situ survey which shall be carried out by the respective To~
Vending Committees (TVC), within their respective area of jurisdiction. The survey shall be m
the digital format through an application which was developed by the Government of
Meghalaya. The data to be captured during the survey shall include details of the street vendors
and the nature of trade/vending, time of vending at the location, mode of vending, amongst ?ther
things. The survey will be conducted in a phased manner and the first round of survey wil!h be
conducted in Khyndailad, Jail-Road, Barik, Malki-Dhankheti, Laitumkhrah and Polo from 4 to
16th December 2023.
According to provisions of the scheme, the street vendor to be eligible for registration
shall have to provide identity proof, proof of stay in Meghalaya for at least three years, and proof
of being engaged in street vending in the same locality (same city for mobile vendors) for at least
six months to prior to the date of notification of the survey. The registration of a street vendor
shall be valid for five years. After having registered all the eligible street vendors, the TVC shall
issue a Certificate of Vending (Co V) subject to availability of vending space as well as a unique
ID card to the eligible street vendors which shall be valid for one year. The Co V alone is the
document which certifies the right of a street vendor to vend in a specified area. Simultaneously,
the Government and the TVC's are also preparing City/town Street Vending Plans which will
demarcate the vending and no vending zones in various locations across the city/towns.
The Government of Meghalaya envisions a State where vibrant street vending is a
hallmark of our cities and towns. The scheme is a testament to the State's commitment to
empower_ I_ocal entrep~eneurs and strengthen our communities. It will not only provide economic
opportumt1es but also improve the quality of life for our citizens.