“Ensure Livelihood of Street Vendors Before Evicting Them: Sanjay Seth”

Ranchi – Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth has urged the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) and district administration to first ensure an alternative livelihood for footpath vendors before removing them. In his statement on Tuesday, he questioned how these vendors would feed their families if their businesses were suddenly shut down.

Seth pointed out that in 2016, the RMC had conducted a survey and issued 5,901 vendor licenses in different parts of Ranchi. The agreement was that vendors would not be removed without providing them an alternative space. However, the current eviction drive, carried out in the name of anti-encroachment, is being done without prior notice, creating a crisis for affected families.

He also criticized the harsh methods used during the eviction, stating that carts are being broken and even vehicles overturned, which he termed as completely unjustified. Seth urged authorities to take a humane approach, ensuring that street vendors’ livelihoods are protected before any further action is taken.