Mangaluru: Verified street vendors at the Sunday Bazaar have alleged that unauthorised individuals occupied spaces allotted to them, preventing them from conducting business despite having been approved by Town Vending Committee (TVC) Friday.Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) recently approved a new vending location on State Bank–Rosario Church Road for 95 verified vendors, ending a five-month dispute over the Sunday Bazaar. Of the 129 applicants, 95 were found eligible by the TVC and allotted designated spaces.However, several approved vendors who arrived at the bazaar found their allotted spots occupied by others, leading to protests and prompting them to seek administrative intervention.Mohammad Asif, president of the Street Vendors’ Welfare and Development Association, alleged that a lack of proper on-ground verification had allowed ineligible individuals to occupy the spaces. He said this had affected vendors who depended on the weekly market for their livelihood, particularly when customer footfall was already low.“When our verified vendors went to claim their approved places to earn a living, unknown individuals had already occupied them,” Asif said.He further alleged that some of those operating the stalls were engaged in other occupations, including driving taxis and autorickshaws. “Without proper Aadhaar linkage, how can they obtain a vending licence or an identity badge? They are not legitimate street vendors,” he said.The displaced vendors brought the matter to the notice of MCC officials and sought the removal of those allegedly occupying the spaces without authorisation.MCC City Mission manager Chitranjan Das assured the vendors that the approvals would be reviewed and enforcement measures taken. “Only the 95 verified vendors have been granted permission to operate at the Sunday Bazaar,” he said.“Any unauthorised occupants found during inspections will face immediate cancellation, and the designated spaces will be restored to the eligible vendors,” he added.The association urged MCC Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey and deputy commissioner (administration) Swamy AL to conduct fresh verification, remove unauthorised occupants and ensure that allotted spaces are made available to the approved vendors.
