From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Feb 6: Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Monday defended eviction of vendors at Gandhi Bazar in the City by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Replying to a calling attention notice from Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah in the Legislative Assembly, he said vendors were evicted to safeguard the public health and avoid regular traffic congestion.

Fruit, flower and vegetable vendors had encroached footpaths on both sides of the road and used to sell commodities over the years.

Encroachment of footpaths caused inconvenience to pedestrians and often caused traffic jams.

The Government had received several complaints from the public against hawkers selling commodities on roads and footpaths.

Lot garbage on the road and traffic jams would not bring reputation to the City, which is widely known for its contributions in the field of information technology and biotechnology.

A circular had been issued in 2010 and it clearly stated that the BBMP would take action against vendors who sell commodities encroaching footpaths.

The Chief Minister said he would hold discussions with BBMP officials to make an alternative arrangement and relocation of the street vendors.

Siddaramaiah, Dinesh Gundu Rao, N L Narendra Babu, Roshan Baig (all Congress) said that the government should have made alternative arrangement before evicting hawkers.

They claimed that demolition drive of the BBMP caused loss of Rs 2 crore to vendors.