Context:
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has set a new target for its loan scheme for street vendors.
About Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi):
- Central Sector Scheme.
- Launched in – 2020.
- Ministry – Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
- Micro-credit scheme.
- Special micro-credit facility to offer affordable loans (up to ₹10,000) for over 50 lakh street vendors.
- Loans would be without collateral.
- Repayable in monthly instalments within a year.
- Applicable to vendors, hawkers, thelewalas, rehriwalas, theliphadwalas.
Street Vendors Act, 2014:
- Act recognizes street vendors.
- Street vendor refers to a person selling everyday items or services to the public from a temporary structure in public or private areas. “Street vending” includes related terms and expressions.
- Provided – establishment of Town Vending Committees (TVC)
- TVC conducts survey of all the vendors under its jurisdiction.
- Requires local authorities to frame street vending plans.
- Designates specific areas as vending zones.
- Provides for the issuance of a Certificate of Vending (COV) to street vendors.
Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 19(1)(g) – fundamental right to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
- Article 14– state shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
- Article 38(1) – Directs the state to promote welfare and social, economic, and political justice.
- Article 38(2) – minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities.
- Article 39(a) – Calls for policies to ensure both men and women have the right to an adequate livelihood.
- Article 41 – Provides the ‘right to work’ within the state’s economic capacity.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Under the Kisan credit card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?
- Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
- Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks
- Consumption requirements of farm households
- Post-harvest expenses
- Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1, 2 and 5 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5