Debabrata Mohapatra, TNN | Sep 27, 2013, 06.32 AM IST
BHUBANESWAR: The state government is all set to construct new vending zones at 19 places in Bhubaneswar from the centrally sponsored "challenge funds". The Union ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation on Thursday approved the proposed project that will be implemented at a cost of Rs 2.4 crore.
The challenge funds, launched last year, is aimed at addressing major challenges of the urban poor.The Centre recently identified Bhubaneswar and Bhawanipatna of Odisha among 40 cities in India under the flagship programme to improve socio-economic conditions of the urban poor.
"In the first phase, the Centre has agreed to fund us for the vending zone project. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation will execute the project," deputy secretary of state housing and urban development department (H&UD) Anjana Panda told TOI. "In the second phase, we will send a proposal to construct toilets for the urban poor at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district," Panda said.
At present, the city has 46 authorized vending zones, constructed by theBMC. But not more than 2,000 traders, out of the 22,000 roadside vendors in the city, have been accommodated in the existing vending zones.
Learning from previous mistakes in the wake of the demolition and relocation of some vending zones in the city due to road expansion projects, the government has decided to identify lands where vendors do not face any threat. "It is high time the government seriously took up the issue of streamlining street vending. The authorities should protect poor vendors from greedy cops and municipal staff who extort money from them. The government should ensure secured and dignified livelihood for them," said Pratap Sahoo, president of All Orissa Roadside Vendors' Association.
The H&UD department said it would soon draw up more pro-poor projects under the challenge funds, which envisages technical and financial support to urban local bodies for adopting and replicating good practices. Beneficiaries under the fund will be the urban poor and othermarginalized groups, including women, socially excluded and disadvantageous groups, pavement dwellers, disabled and children.
Sources said the 'challenge fund' will be operational till June 2016. To operationalize the fund, the Centre has formed a core management unit.
The challenge funds, launched last year, is aimed at addressing major challenges of the urban poor.The Centre recently identified Bhubaneswar and Bhawanipatna of Odisha among 40 cities in India under the flagship programme to improve socio-economic conditions of the urban poor.
"In the first phase, the Centre has agreed to fund us for the vending zone project. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation will execute the project," deputy secretary of state housing and urban development department (H&UD) Anjana Panda told TOI. "In the second phase, we will send a proposal to construct toilets for the urban poor at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district," Panda said.
At present, the city has 46 authorized vending zones, constructed by theBMC. But not more than 2,000 traders, out of the 22,000 roadside vendors in the city, have been accommodated in the existing vending zones.
Learning from previous mistakes in the wake of the demolition and relocation of some vending zones in the city due to road expansion projects, the government has decided to identify lands where vendors do not face any threat. "It is high time the government seriously took up the issue of streamlining street vending. The authorities should protect poor vendors from greedy cops and municipal staff who extort money from them. The government should ensure secured and dignified livelihood for them," said Pratap Sahoo, president of All Orissa Roadside Vendors' Association.
The H&UD department said it would soon draw up more pro-poor projects under the challenge funds, which envisages technical and financial support to urban local bodies for adopting and replicating good practices. Beneficiaries under the fund will be the urban poor and othermarginalized groups, including women, socially excluded and disadvantageous groups, pavement dwellers, disabled and children.
Sources said the 'challenge fund' will be operational till June 2016. To operationalize the fund, the Centre has formed a core management unit.
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