SVAN defends fines on Dimapur street vendors operating before noon Sundays, citing warnings, association rules and municipal directives
DIMAPUR — The Street Vendors Association Nagaland (SVAN) has defended its decision to fine vendors operating before noon on Sundays, claiming that it had acted after issuing warnings and in accordance with its rules and Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) directives.
At a press conference in Dimapur on Friday, SVAN president Kughato Zhimo said that the association had faced allegations from individuals and organisations despite working within its constitution. He said complaints from churches and members of the public about vendors occupying roads and lanes during morning worship hours had prompted the association to act.
SVAN vice-president Shikiho Ayemi explained that that association’s members visited vendors at around 4.30 am on September 27 to inform them that vending was permitted only after noon on Sundays, following church services. A second visit was conducted on October 4, but some vendors allegedly continued operating despite the warnings, he said.
Ayemi said fines were subsequently imposed under the association’s rules after repeated non-compliance. He described the action as part of a three-step disciplinary process involving a warning, a fine and, in cases of continued violations, termination of membership. He added that notices had also been published in newspapers.
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Zhimo also said that street vendors were entitled to 40% representation in the Town Vending Committee (TVC) under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act. He added that SVAN was working to conduct a census and register vendors to help ensure that government schemes and financial assistance reached eligible beneficiaries.
SVAN general secretary Dr. Subonglemba Aier alleged that unauthorised groups were exploiting vendors through collections and that territorial claims by various organisations had obstructed the association’s awareness and registration efforts.
Aier said SVAN had been working for vendors’ welfare since 2020 in collaboration with the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI). According to him, the association conducted training programmes twice a year, particularly for street food vendors, and provided free hygiene kits worth INR 5,000, including caps, gloves, masks and aprons.
He said SVAN had also organised a street food festival at DDSC Stadium, where Food Safety officials inspected vendors and selected participants for the National Street Food Festival in Delhi. This year, two teams comprising six people would receive free transportation, accommodation and stalls at the event, he added.
The association was also exploring opportunities for vendors to operate food stalls and food trucks during the Hornbill Festival. Aier said SVAN provided first-aid insurance coverage and assistance in cases involving accidents, harassment, eviction and medical emergencies.
Responding to concerns over footpath obstruction and food hygiene, Zhimo said the association had distributed hygiene equipment and instructed street food vendors not to serve food on printed newspapers.
The association maintained that it could not be held responsible for violations by non-members, particularly in areas where its outreach efforts had allegedly been obstructed. It urged vendors to register with SVAN to access its welfare support and institutional assistance.