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Empowering Street Vendors Through Digital Innovation: How Kerblet Aligns with the Street Vendors Act, 2014




India's street vendors represent a vital yet vulnerable segment of the urban workforce. With approximately 10 million street vendors across the country, these individuals play an essential role in local economies, providing affordable goods and services to millions. However, street vending is often fraught with challenges, ranging from legal issues to harassment and a lack of infrastructure. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 was a landmark legislation designed to protect the rights of these vendors and regulate their activities in urban spaces. But as the world becomes increasingly digital, how can technology play a role in making these protections more effective? Enter Kerblet, a platform that seeks to empower street vendors through digital solutions.


Understanding the Street Vendors Act, 2014


The Street Vendors Act, 2014 was created to safeguard the rights of street vendors while regulating their activities in public spaces. Key provisions of the Act include:

  • Protection against arbitrary evictions and harassment.

  • The formation of Town Vending Committees (TVCs), which are responsible for surveying vendors and issuing certificates of vending.

  • Designated vending zones to organize and manage street vending activities.

  • A focus on protecting livelihood opportunities while balancing public space usage.

  • Mechanisms for grievance redressal and dispute resolution.

Despite these legal safeguards, many street vendors continue to face challenges in implementation due to bureaucratic delays, lack of digital access, and inefficient management of vending zones. This is where platforms like Kerblet can make a significant difference.


How Kerblet Supports Street Vendors


Kerblet, as a multi-vertical renting marketplace platform, has the potential to align itself with the provisions of the Street Vendors Act while offering innovative solutions that empower vendors, simplify regulation processes, and create opportunities for growth. Here’s how:


1. Listing Hawker Spaces on the Platform


One of Kerblet's unique services is its ability to digitize the availability of hawker spaces on both private properties and civic bodies. By listing hawker spaces on the platform, Kerblet allows street vendors to secure formal, regulated spots within approved vending zones. This reduces the likelihood of illegal vending, which often leads to fines and harassment. Vendors can register, check for available spaces, and secure their livelihood without the hassle of navigating complex bureaucratic procedures.


2. A Digital Marketplace for Street Vendors


Kerblet can offer a digital marketplace where street vendors can showcase and sell their products or services online. This expands their reach beyond the local foot traffic and helps them tap into new customer bases. Given that street vending constitutes around 14% of India’s urban informal employment, creating an online presence can be transformative for vendors’ income and growth.


3. Facilitating Compliance with the Street Vendors Act


The Street Vendors Act mandates that every vendor must obtain a certificate of vending from the respective Town Vending Committees (TVCs). However, this process is often cumbersome and unclear. Kerblet can serve as a compliance facilitator, guiding vendors through the process of obtaining the necessary certificates and understanding the requirements of vending zones. Through notifications and assistance within the platform, vendors will stay informed about surveys, legal requirements, and zone allotments, reducing the risk of penalties or evictions.


4. Collaboration with Town Vending Committees (TVCs)


Kerblet can collaborate with Town Vending Committees to streamline the surveying process, helping TVCs maintain up-to-date records of vendors and vending zones. By providing digital tools that track space availability and vendor compliance, Kerblet can help authorities better manage street vending operations. This partnership can reduce instances of over-crowding in vending zones and ensure a fair and transparent system for vendors.


5. Digital Payments and Revenue Management


Street vendors often operate in cash-driven environments, which makes them susceptible to financial insecurity, extortion, and limited growth. Kerblet can offer vendors access to digital payment solutions, allowing them to manage transactions securely and transparently. This not only reduces cash handling risks but also enables vendors to build a record of their income, which can be useful when seeking financial assistance or expanding their business.


6. Supporting Vendor Relocation and Vending Zone Management


Under the Act, vendors are sometimes required to relocate due to the designation of no-vending zones. Kerblet’s platform can assist in this relocation process by providing vendors with real-time information on available spots in other vending zones, ensuring that they are not left without a space to operate. Additionally, the platform can help map these zones digitally, offering vendors a seamless transition and ensuring minimal disruption to their business.


7. Training and Digital Literacy


Many street vendors may not be fully aware of their rights under the Street Vendors Act, or they may lack the digital literacy needed to take full advantage of platforms like Kerblet. Kerblet can provide training programs to educate vendors on how to navigate the legal landscape, use digital tools to manage their businesses, and grow their customer base. This empowers vendors, making them more self-reliant and aware of their rights.


Conclusion: A New Era for Street Vendors


The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 was a crucial step toward ensuring that street vendors have the legal protections they need to thrive. However, legal protections alone are not enough. Street vendors need practical, accessible solutions to navigate the complexities of their trade. By offering a comprehensive platform that aligns with the Act’s provisions, Kerblet is positioned to make a real difference in the lives of street vendors across India.


Kerblet’s platform brings street vendors into the digital age, offering them access to organized vending zones, digital marketplaces, payment solutions, and compliance assistance. With technology at their fingertips, street vendors can now take control of their livelihoods, free from the risks of harassment, illegal vending, and financial insecurity.


As Kerblet continues to expand, it will not only empower individual vendors but also play a key role in modernizing urban vending systems, fostering economic growth, and creating more inclusive cities for all.


Are you a street vendor or hawker space owner looking for a better way to manage your business? Explore Kerblet today and discover how we can help you secure your livelihood while staying compliant with local regulations.

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