Delhi : Is Kejriwal’s ‘Aam Aadmi Party’ out to break the backs of the real common man? Is the hare-brained scheme, announced by AAP, that proposes to run ‘Aam Aadmi Canteens’  actually a way  of torpedoing the livelihoods of thousands of popular street food vendors?

The National Association of Street Vendors in India (NASVI) has strongly condemned the Delhi govt’s move, to provide subsidized meals through Aam Aadmi Canteen scheme, which will affect, rather ruin, the livelihood of thousands of street food vendors of Delhi.

“It will prove to be a major setback for these food vendors who provide a hearty meal to working class that includes labourers, students and caregivers of patients in govt hospitals and thousands of others in the city at a very reasonable rate,” points out Arbind Singh, NASVI national coordinator.

There is an estimated there are 10-15 lakhs construction workers and labourers in the city. Apart from that there are 4.2 lakh people in the slums and 5 lakh street vendors. The livelihood of street food vendors depends on catering to this population.

“After the implementation of this ill-thought scheme, these street food vendors will be robbed of their only source of income, which will ultimately result in their families being starved to death,” says Arbind, a bit dramatically.

But has Arbind and the street food vendors of Delhi much to fear about?

It is to be noted that attempt to provide meals at subsidized rates by the previous governments have miserably failed, because those schemes were either restricted to select spots, or the quality of food was very poor, and hygiene was not being maintained due to lax monitoring.

Now, given that there are indications that Kejriwal’s government is already having some budgetary problems, what is the guarantee that this scheme will actually work? NASVI believes this is a foolhardy move of the Delhi goernment. Not only this scheme will fail to deliver, but it will also ruin the livelihoods of many street food vendors.

Good Quality meals at reasonable prices

NASVI linked street food vendors provide good quality meals at reasonably fair rates despite being continuously harassed by municipal authorities and police alike. They are quite popular in their respective areas and have been serving the people since a long time.

Geeta Gupta is one such street food vendor who runs her food thela in the Kalyanpuri area of East Delhi. One can have his/her lunch or dinner dishing out only Rs 15-20. Her eatery is quite popular in the area and is well appreciated for its tasty as well as cheap meals. Let’s have a look of what she provides and for how much –

4 puris, sabzi – Rs 10; Chole-rice – Rs 10; Chole-bhature –Rs 20

Vasudeo Sahni runs his eatery in Acharya Niketan, Mayur Vihar (phase I). One can assess his eatery’s popularity for a tasty as well as cheap meal by a mere visit to the place during lunch hours. People can be seen queuing up for their turns though the number is not that great at dinner time. Just have a look at the rates he serves meals for:

5 chapatis, sabzi — Rs 20; Rice (full plate), sabzi – Rs 20; Rice (full plate), fish – Rs 30; 5 chapatis, chicken – Rs 30

Tika Ram runs his food thela at B-2, Madanpur Khadar, south east Delhi. Ask any labourer or local vendors for a good and cheap meal, he will direct you towards Tika Ram’s thela as he is quite popular in that area. He offers a tasty and cheap meal at a fairly affordable rate. Just see his rates—

3 chapatis, two sabzis and raita – Rs 25; Chole bhature – Rs 20

Another such vendor is Mali Gupta, near Sarojini Nagar market. He offers a meal of 4 chapatis and sabzi with raita at Rs 20. He is quite popular among the shopkeepers of the area for his food is quite tasty and he maintains good hygiene.

These are the rates offered by food vendors even after being forced to pay ‘hafta’ to police (despite all the hot air of Kejriwal’s removing corruption ads) and municipal officials and after periodic confiscation of goods and their carts, (often in contravention of their legal rights).

A better option

NASVI feels that the Aam Aadmi Government would do well to facilitate the street food vendors with training, infrastructure and support, so that they can provide even better and cheaper meals to the poor citizens of the city.

This will be a very welcome step that will serve two purposes at a time – poor will get good quality food at cheaper rates and the livelihood of these street food vendors will not be ruined.They need recognition and encouragement from this so-called pro-poor govt but instead are getting such a harsh treatment in the form of Aam Aadmi Canteen Scheme.

NASVI, as usual, plans to raise the voices of these street food vendors and will protest and fight tooth and nail against the govt’s move to implement such a scheme.

  Arbind Singh, food, NASVI National Association of Street vendors India, street food