CNCCI seeks functional Town Vending Committees

DIMAPUR, NOV 4 (NPN): Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has urged the state government to immediately constitute and operationalise Town Vending Committees (TVCs) across Nagaland.
In a representation to the chief secretary, CNCCI chairman Dr Khekugha Muru and general secretary Avi Chase said non-functioning or absence of TVCs had created scope for private associations to exercise undue control over vendors and businesses.
The confederation pointed out that the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, provides a statutory framework for protecting street vendors, identifying vending zones and regulating street vending through legally mandated bodies, including TVCs.
CNCCI alleged that, in the absence of functional committees, certain private associations had resorted to practices such as compulsory membership demands, unauthorised fines and penalties, and directives requiring business establishments to remain closed on Sundays.
It urged the government to direct all municipal and town councils to constitute TVCs in accordance with the Act and applicable Nagaland rules, ensure prescribed representation of street vendors and other stakeholders, and clearly publicise their powers and responsibilities.
The confederation also sought accessible grievance-redressal mechanisms and an investigation into complaints of forced membership, unauthorised monetary demands and coercive directives.
It said private associations should not assume regulatory or enforcement powers reserved for statutory authorities, and any alleged violations should be dealt with through due process.
Clarifying its position on Sunday closures, CNCCI said it neither endorsed nor opposed closure as a matter of principle. However, it maintained that any direction affecting business operations must have a valid legal basis and be issued or enforced by the competent authority. CNCCI urged the government to clarify directives issued by certain associations through local newspapers.
CNCCI called for time-bound directions to the department of urban development and all municipal and town councils to operationalise TVCs, establish grievance-redressal mechanisms and initiate action against organisations or associations found exercising powers beyond their lawful jurisdiction.