Section 22: Town Vending Committee under the Street Vendors Act, 2014
Section 22 of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 establishes the framework for constituting a Town Vending Committee (TVC), including its chairperson, membership, elected street-vendor representatives and allowances. The detailed term, composition and election procedure depend on rules made by the appropriate Government.
Section 22(1): Constitution and term of the committee
The appropriate Government may make rules providing for the term and manner of constitution of a Town Vending Committee in each local authority. Where necessary, it may provide for more than one committee within a local authority, including a separate committee for a zone or ward. Consequently, the Act itself does not prescribe one uniform term or a fixed number of committees nationwide.
Section 22(2): Who are the members?
Chairperson
The Municipal Commissioner or Chief Executive Officer, as applicable, is the chairperson of the Town Vending Committee under clause (a).
Nominated members and stakeholder representation
Under clause (b), the appropriate Government nominates the prescribed number of other members representing the local authority, its medical officer, planning authority, traffic police, police, associations of street vendors, market associations, traders associations, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, resident welfare associations, banks and other interests considered appropriate.
Minimum representation requirements
- At least 10%: Members nominated to represent non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations must not be less than ten per cent of the committee's membership (clause (c)).
- At least 40%: Members representing street vendors must not be less than forty per cent, and these representatives must be elected by street vendors themselves in the manner prescribed by the rules (clause (d)).
- Women vendors: One-third of the members representing street vendors must be women street vendors.
- Inclusive representation: Due representation must be provided among vendor representatives to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and persons with disabilities.
Important distinction: The 40% minimum relates to elected street-vendor representatives; the one-third women requirement applies within that street-vendor group, not necessarily to all members of the committee.
Section 22(3): Allowances
The chairperson and the members nominated under sub-section (2) receive allowances as prescribed by the appropriate Government. The central provision does not fix an allowance amount; applicable State or Union Territory rules should be consulted.
Functions and legal significance of the Town Vending Committee
The TVC is a key institution for implementation of the Act. Under Section 3, the committee is involved in surveys of existing street vendors. Sections 4 to 11 address certificates of vending and related decisions, and Section 21 requires the local authority to prepare a street-vending plan on the committee's recommendations. Under Section 18, its recommendations are relevant to declaring a no-vending zone for a public purpose and relocating affected vendors.
Other provisions govern its operation: Section 23 concerns meetings, Section 24 concerns temporary association of persons, and Sections 25 and 26 address facilities, records and public accountability. These provisions should be read together with Section 22.
Key terms and implementation
Appropriate Government: The Government identified under the definitions in Section 2, according to the relevant jurisdiction. Local authority: The municipal or other authority covered by Section 2. Street vendor: A person carrying on street-vending activities within the statutory definition in Section 2, including stationary or mobile vending.
The exact election arrangements, membership numbers, term and allowances must be checked against the rules and scheme notified for the particular State or Union Territory. Section 22 establishes the statutory minimum safeguards; it should not be treated as a complete election manual.
Official legal references
See the Street Vendors Act, 2014 (India Code) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for central legislation and implementation resources. The applicable rules and notified scheme should also be obtained from the relevant State or Union Territory Government or local authority.