01Facts
Several street vendors filed writ petitions before the Delhi High Court seeking relief regarding the issuance and terms of Certificates of Vending (CoVs).
p. 5 · ¶ 2The petitioners raised grievances including improper categorization of vendors in provisional CoVs, infeasible "mobile vendor" conditions imposed on persons with disabilities, and lack of specified vending sites
p. 5 · ¶ 2The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had previously conducted surveys under the Street Vendors Act, 2014, but the process for final CoVs had stalled due to the non-finalization of Town Vending Committees (TVCs) and survey agency recommendations
pp. 6-7 · ¶ 3-602Issues
i.1. Whether the MCD and other local authorities are obligated to follow a time-bound schedule for the constitution of TVCs and finalization of vending plans
p. 6 · ¶ 4ii.2. Whether street vendors with provisional CoVs are entitled to protection from displacement pending the final determination of their status by the TVC
p. 10 · ¶ 11(vi)iii.3. Whether specific vending categories (mobile vs. stationary) and monetary terms for CoVs must be determined by the TVC through a verified process
p. 9 · ¶ 11(iii-iv)03Law Applied
The Court applied the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, the Delhi Street Vendors Rules, 2017, and the Delhi Street Vendors Scheme-2019
p. 6 · ¶ 3These statutes mandate the conduct of surveys, the constitution of Town Vending Committees (TVCs) as statutory bodies to regulate vending zones, and the issuance of Certificates of Vending (CoVs) to ensure the protection of livelihood while maintaining urban order
p. 9 · ¶ 1104Reasoning
The Court noted that while surveys had been partially completed and provisional CoVs issued, the statutory process was at a "standstill" because the TVCs—the primary bodies responsible for finalizing vending zones and lists—had not been constituted
p. 7 · ¶ 5The Court observed that the MCD had proposed a specific future course of action, including elections to the TVCs scheduled for June 30, 2026
p. 8 · ¶ 9Reasoning that the TVC is the "statutory mandate" for finalizing vending plans, the Court held that the grievances regarding categorization (e.g., stationary vs. mobile) and site allocation must be addressed by these committees after their constitution
p. 9 · ¶ 11The Court emphasized that special consideration must be given to vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities or those in trades like tailoring that cannot be mobile
p. 9 · ¶ 11(iii)05Holding
The Court disposed of the petitions by directing the MCD to constitute the TVCs as per the stated timeline (e.g., elections by June 30, 2026, and constitution by July 21, 2026)
pp. 8-9 · ¶ 10-11(i) TVCs shall verify survey lists and consider vendor categories and monetary terms for CoVs; (ii) vendors must ensure hygiene and refrain from permanent construction; and (iii) most critically, no street vendor shall be disturbed or prevented from carrying out vending activities in accordance with their provisional CoVs until the TVCs take a final decision
pp. 9-10 · ¶ 11(iv-vi)Original Court PDF
Rinku LalvsMunicipal Corporation Of Delhi And Ors.
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