SVAN justifies fines on vendors during Sunday worship hours

DIMAPUR, OCT 16 (NPN): Street Vendors Association Nagaland (SVAN) has defended its decision to impose fines on vendors operating during Sunday worship hours, saying the action was taken in accordance with its constitution and directives issued by the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).
Addressing a press conference at the SVAN office in Church Colony on Friday, association president Kughato Zhimo said it had faced allegations from individuals and organisations despite functioning within its constitutional framework.
He said complaints from churches and the public about vendors occupying roads and lanes during morning worship hours had prompted the association to enforce the existing restrictions. Zhimo maintained that SVAN was required to comply with municipal directives.
He said street vendors were entitled to 40% representation in the town vending committee (TVC) under the Street Vendors Act, with the municipal chief executive officer or administrator serving as its chairperson. SVAN was also working to conduct a census and register vendors to ensure they received government schemes and benefits.
Explaining the circumstances behind the fines, SVAN vice-president Shikiho Ayemi said the association visited vendors around 4.30am on September 27 to inform them that vending on Sundays was permitted only after noon, following church services, in accordance with DMC directives.
He said a second visit was conducted on October 4, but some vendors allegedly continued operating despite repeated warnings.
Ayemi said the fines were imposed under the association’s rules and were not arbitrary, as vendors had been personally warned and notices published in newspapers.
He said SVAN followed a three-step disciplinary process involving a warning, a fine and, in cases of continued violations, termination of membership.
SVAN general secretary Dr. Subonglemba Aier alleged that unauthorised groups were exploiting street vendors through collections and territorial claims, which had hindered the association’s awareness programmes and registration efforts.
Aier said SVAN operated under its constitution and represented vendors in the municipal committee. He added that receipts were issued for fines and the association maintained transparency in its operations.
On concerns over compulsory registration and inadequate awareness among vendors, Aier said SVAN had been working for their welfare since 2020 in collaboration with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI).
He said the association conducted training programmes twice a year, particularly for street food vendors, and provided free hygiene kits worth Rs.5,000 containing caps, gloves, masks and aprons.
SVAN had also organised a Street Food Festival at DDSC Stadium, where food safety officials inspected stalls and selected outstanding vendors to participate in the National Street Food Festival in Delhi.
The association was also exploring opportunities for vendors to participate in the upcoming Hornbill Festival through food stalls and food trucks.
He added that SVAN provided first-aid insurance coverage and assistance to vendors facing accidents, harassment, eviction and medical emergencies. However, he acknowledged that educating vendors remained challenging because some had limited literacy and required individual outreach.
Responding to concerns over footpath obstruction and food hygiene, Zhimo said SVAN had distributed hygiene equipment and repeatedly instructed street food vendors not to serve food on printed newspapers.
Ayemi said the association continued to sensitise vendors on sanitation and guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). However, he said SVAN could not be held responsible for violations by non-members, particularly in areas where its outreach efforts were allegedly obstructed. The association said it would continue to intervene in matters concerning vendors’ rights and urged street vendors to register as members to access welfare support and institutional assistance.