Moving shop

However,every month he has to give a thousand rupees to the police,the MCD and anybody else who can claim to be from the government. Most vendors,like Rajkumar,are resigned to their fate. “Kya karein? (What to do?),” they say.

Lal Singh,35,has been working outside Ramjas College for the last 17 years. This native of Faizabad says,“I have no choice but to pay the money. I have a wife and three children,and it is hard to survive on the Rs 2,500 I’m left with.” However,he is more worried about a change of guard. “Every time a new officer comes,there is trouble.”

Early last year,the police ordered all the stalls shut. “I didn’t know what to do,many times I was close to tears,” says Rajkumar. After repeated requests from vendors,the authorities relented. But soon the monthly rates were raised. Many vendors would be happy to pay a similar amount to the government,in return for accreditation. “They can give us a private lease,or a contract. At least,we won’t be harassed,” he says.

The government,though,has other plans in store. A large number of venues for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 are in the campus,which means that the vendors will be kicked out. “I may have to move to some other area,or find another job,” admits Lal Singh. “Nobody can stay hungry.”

Rajkumar has some suggestions. “They can make nice stalls for us,give us proper facilities,” he says. “Koi bahar se aa raha hai,to apne ghar ke aadmi ko bahar nikal do? (If a guest comes from outside,do you kick your own people out?)”