Ban effect

January 6: It can be cited as a classic case of reversal of order. Breaking conventions minister of state for urban development Ravindra Man...

January 6: It can be cited as a classic case of reversal of order. Breaking conventions minister of state for urban development Ravindra Mane came down from Mantralaya to meet over 5,000 hawkers demonstrating at Azad Maidan today.

The new practice comes in the wake of the recent Bombay High Court interim order banning morchas and demonstrations at Samrat Hotel near Mantralaya.

The hawkers, who came from different parts of the city, had gathered at Azad Maidan to protest the recent hike in the daily administrative and refuse removal charges. They were also protesting the disparity in the rent recovered from the zunkha bhakar kendras and the daily charges recovered from them. Restraining from making any promise, keeping in view of the poll code of conduct, Mane assured the hawkers that he will put their demands before the chief minister.

Disappointed with the minister8217;s assurance, trade union leader Sharad Rao later said that hawkers will take out morchas to the ward offices in their respective wards on January 15, 16 and 17 to press for their demands.

According to the new charges, which were introduced from January 1, BMC is empowered to charge Rs 7 daily from hawkers who sell perishable items like fruits and vegetables. Earlier, the daily charges were Rs 1 from female and Rs 2 from male hawkers.

The daily charges have been hiked from Rs 7 to Rs 10, for hawkers selling perishable items like fruits and vegetables, occupying an area of 9 square feet. For hawkers selling non-perishable items and occupying the same area, the daily charge has been increased up to Rs 15.

For hawkers selling eatables, the charge has been increased from Rs 15 to Rs 30, and charge for those selling eatables on handcarts has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 75. After 7 pm, these hawkers will have to pay Rs 100 more.Meanwhile, after a meeting with the hawkers8217; union leaders, the municipal commissioner has agreed to write to the state government to bring about a parity in the recovery of rent from the zunkha bhakar kendras and the charges imposed on the hawkers. A zunkha bhakar stall owner runs his business in a 120 square feet plot on BMC land, and is still required to pay a rent of Rs 500 per month.