Kolkata: The high-powered committee formed to conduct a hawker survey has asked surveyors to start surprise visits at major hawking hubs after completion of the first phase of the survey that began on June 27. The survey was conducted to check if persons who have registered their names as hawkers are actually the ones engaged in the trade.
“Our team of officials will soon start surprise visits to hawking zones and check if the space and name of the hawker tallies with the hawker’s name registered in the first round of the survey.If any anomaly is detected, it will be sent to the Town Vending Committee (TVC) suggesting immediate action,” said mayor Firhad Hakim.
According to Hakim who heads the high-powered committee, under no circumstances a hawking space can be altered, exchanged or sold out.
“Our team of surveyors will now conduct a surprise visit at the prime hawking zones like Gariahat, New Market, Hatibagan and areas under Central Business District. Any change in the hawking status will be brought to the knowledge of the high-powered committee and subsequently to the TVC members. Based on the survey report we may recommend action against the ghost hawkers,” said an official.
Hakim said only bonafide hawkers would be recognized and their names would be sent to Nabanna. “I have heard that there are certain owners who engage employees to hawk at some prime hubs. But, we won’t recognize any owners. Our team will recognize only hawkers and not owners,” said Hakim.
According to hawker union leader and a TVC member, Saktipada Mondal, the union leaders would fully cooperate with the surprise survey as they need to prevent the influx of new hawkers since it may adversely affect the future of the existing hawkers.
“If we want to adhere to hawking rules, we may need to find rehabilitation for hundreds of hawkers. Now if we can’t prevent the influx of new hawkers, the purpose of the entire survey will be defeated,” said Mondal.
Reacting to BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh’s allegation that hawkers are being evicted and the councillors are being blamed for taking protection money from a section of hawkers, mayor Hakim said, “We are only ensuring that hawkers conduct business on pavements and also allow a safe passage for pedestrians.”