Facts
Various street vendors filed several writ petitions asserting that they held provisional Certificates of Vending (CoVs) or were surveyed but had not yet received CoVs
Source reference: p. 5, para. 2The petitioners raised grievances regarding improper categorization in CoVs, infeasible conditions imposed on disabled vendors (mobile vs. stationary), and lack of specific vending sites
Source reference: p. 5, para. 2The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had previously informed the Court that while surveys under the relevant Act and Rules had largely concluded, the process was stalled due to the lack of finalized Town Vending Committees (TVCs)
Source reference: p. 7, para. 5Issues
1. Whether the MCD has established a definitive timeline for the constitution of Town Vending Committees (TVCs) and the issuance of final Certificates of Vending
Source reference: p. 6, para. 42. Whether interim protection should be granted to vendors holding provisional CoVs pending the final decision by the TVCs
Source reference: p. 10, para. 11(vi)Law Applied
The Court primarily applied the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, the Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules, 2017, and the Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2019
Source reference: p. 6, para. 3These statutes mandate the conduct of surveys, the constitution of TVCs to finalize vending zones and plans, and the issuance of formal Certificates of Vending based on statutory eligibility
Source reference: p. 6, para. 4; p. 9, para. 11(ii)Reasoning
The Court noted that the issuance of final CoVs and the finalization of vending zones had been delayed for several years
Source reference: p. 7, para. 4The MCD submitted a status report detailing a fixed timeline, noting that electoral rolls for TVC elections were prepared and elections were scheduled for June 30, 2026
Source reference: p. 8, para. 9The Court reasoned that since the MCD had now committed to a time-bound statutory process, the grievances of the petitioners regarding categorization and site allocation should be addressed by the to-be-constituted TVCs
Source reference: p. 9, para 11The Court emphasized that TVCs must consider specific vendor needs—such as those of disabled vendors or specialized trades like tailors—when determining stationary versus mobile status
Source reference: p. 9, para. 11(iii)Furthermore, it identified a lack of revenue collection from vendors and directed TVCs to determine appropriate monetary terms for vending
Source reference: p. 9, para. 11(iv)Holding
The Court disposed of the petitions by directing the MCD to constitute TVCs by July 21, 2026, and mandated that these committees verify survey lists and finalize CoVs in accordance with the 2014 Act
The Court held that until the TVCs reach a final decision, no street vendor shall be disturbed or prevented from vending, provided they comply with the terms of their provisional CoVs
Source reference: p. 10, para. 11(vi)Vendors were further ordered to maintain hygiene and were prohibited from making permanent or temporary constructions
Source reference: p. 9, para. 11(v)Original Court PDF
Sumit VermavsGovernment Of Nct Of Delhi And Ors
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