PS, HUDD visits Anantnag; Filicitates Street Vendors

PS, HUDD visits Anantnag, presides SVANidhi Mahotsav.

Filicitates Street Vendors, said Government committed to ensure inclusive urban development.

Anantnag, July 20(KF): One day Mega Awareness Programme on PM’ s SWANidhi Scheme for street vendors/ hawkers was today conducted by Municipal Council, Anantnag at Dak Banglow, Anantnag, where hundreds of beneficiaries of the scheme participated with great enthusiasm.

At the outset, Chairman, MC Anantnag, Hilal Ahmad Shah presented welcome address and highlighted the different welfare measures taken by the MC for the development of Anantnag Town ,more specifically the measures for street vendors including establishment of three vending markets, provision of basic facilities and expeditious proceeds under the scheme and awareness on digital payments.

Director, SBM, Abhishek Sharma gave details about the different aspects of the scheme and highlighted the efforts taken by Principal Secretary in progress of urban sector. He said, that more than 14000 loans have been sanctioned in J&K in favour of vendors during the pandemic and post pandemic period.

Director ,Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, Mathora Masoom also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role and achievements of the department in facilitating the holistic and sustainable growth of urban areas in J&K.

Speaking on the occasion, District Development Commissioner, Anantnag,Dr. Piyush Singla inumerated the origin and essence of the scheme and how the scheme provided great support to the vulnerable section of the urban space by providing them financial assistance to overcome the distress caused by the pandemic.

He also congratulated MC and its staff for the excellent work done on the sector,which helped it to get awarded at National level by Honble PM.He also highlighted the work done of MC during past few years, especially construction of Sewarage Treatment plants, establishment of vending markets, decongestion of traffic, development of parking and leisure areas, 100 % door to door collection etc.

Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta addressed the gathering and elaborated the achievements of the scheme in the betterment of the vendors. He said that UT administration is committed for the inclusive, holistic and sustainable development of the urban areas and has in that context enacted Street Vendors(Protection of Livelihood) Act, 2021.

He said, many more projects are in offing for the historical town of Anantnag besides appealing the community to get the Vending Certicate online for availing the benefits of different government schemes.He also asked the district administration to make social profiling of all vendors and facilitate them in availing benefits of eight different social sector schemes of the government.

At last, CEO MC, Shoib Noor presented vote of thanks.

Principal Secretary later on presides over the felicitation function of street vendors. He also inspected stalls of departments, and also witnessed volley ball and kabbadi matches besides attending cultural programmes,conducted by Cultural Unit pf Department of Information and various schools of the district.

Principal District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag,Naser Ahmad Dar President of MCs of the district, District/ Sectoral officers, PRI members, and large number of street vendors also participated. (KF)