Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Mar 31: Street vendors third Dakshina Kannada district conference was held at NGO hall near university college on Tuesday, March 31 in the city.

K N Umesh, state president of Karnataka Street vendors federation inauguratted the conference by hoisting the CITU flag.

Speaking at the occasion K N Umesh said, "The Street Vendors' (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2014 was passed to protect the rights of the people. After the bill is passed The MCC or any authority can not clear the shops, this is against the law. If an illiterate does thype of work by mistake, that is fine. But the officials who know the law yet turn a blind eye towards it, is not acceptable."

"MCC officials are supposed to protect the law and not break it. The police collect the money form the street vendors on daily basis, shame on them, A God accepts whatever we give but officals demand. They have not provided housing, identity, Ration cards, or the licence but all they are doing is clearing the shop even after taking the money from the vendors." he added.

"When the recent finance minister presented union budget in the parliament, the taxes of on fruits and vegetable sold in supermarkets were reduced. It was a direct attack on the livelihood of the street vendors. Please let the poor live. The corporate taxes are not reduced but the taxes on street vendors are increased. If the officials do not provide the licence or try to clear the shops without notice, we all need to come together and protest against it." He concluded.

Sunil Kumar Bajal, Mohammad Mustaffa and Santhosh Kumar among others were present on the occasion.