AAP Tax Law

Indian Law | Street Vendors Act, 2014 | Section 20

Section 20 of the Street Vendors Act, 2014: Redressal of Grievances and Resolution of Disputes

Section 20 of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 provides a mechanism for street vendors to raise grievances or disputes before a designated committee. It also provides for an appeal to the local authority and an opportunity of hearing before an appeal is decided.

Contents

Section 20(1): Grievance redressal committee

The appropriate Government may constitute one or more committees to decide applications concerning street vendors' grievances and disputes. Each committee consists of a Chairperson who has been a civil judge or judicial magistrate and two other professionals possessing the experience prescribed under the applicable rules.

The proviso expressly prohibits the appointment of an employee of the appropriate Government or local authority as a member of the committee. The Act thus provides for a committee distinct from those administrative employees.

Section 20(2): Written application by a street vendor

Every street vendor with a grievance or dispute may submit an application in writing to the committee constituted under Section 20(1). The form and manner of submission are those prescribed by the applicable rules. The central Act does not itself supply one standard nationwide application form.

Section 20(3): Verification, enquiry and redressal

On receiving the application, the committee must conduct verification and enquiry as prescribed, and take steps to redress the grievance or resolve the dispute within the time and in the manner prescribed. The precise procedure and timelines must therefore be checked in the relevant State or Union territory rules.

Section 20(4): Right to appeal

Any person aggrieved by the committee's decision may appeal to the local authority, using the prescribed form, limitation period and procedure. The Act does not set a uniform appeal period in Section 20 itself.

Section 20(5): Disposal of appeal and opportunity of hearing

The local authority must decide the appeal within the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner. Crucially, the proviso requires the local authority to give the aggrieved person an opportunity of being heard before disposing of the appeal.

How a street vendor may seek relief

  1. Identify the grievance and gather relevant documents, such as a certificate of vending, notices, receipts, correspondence or the committee decision.
  2. Find the committee constituted under Section 20(1) and the applicable rules specifying how to file the written application.
  3. Submit the application in the prescribed manner and retain proof of submission.
  4. If dissatisfied with the committee's decision, examine the prescribed appeal period and file an appeal before the local authority.
  5. Request an opportunity of hearing in the appeal, as guaranteed by Section 20(5).
Distinction: Section 20 concerns the grievance and dispute mechanism. Section 11 separately governs appeals against certain decisions of the Town Vending Committee concerning issue, cancellation or suspension of vending certificates. The correct procedure depends on the decision challenged.

The terms appropriate Government, local authority, street vendor and Town Vending Committee are defined in Section 2 of the Act. For disputes arising from relocation, eviction or seizure, also read Section 18 and Section 19.

Official Act, rules and government sources

Check the latest applicable rules, committee notifications and local authority directions for the actual filing form, enquiry procedure, appeal deadline and address of the competent authority.