NAWANSHAHR: In a significant pro-vendor initiative, the Punjab Government has granted substantial relief to street vendors by approving rebates on street vending fees under the provisions of the Punjab Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2016.
Exercising the powers conferred under sub-clause (10) of the Scheme, the Governor of Punjab, after due consultation with the state’s local authorities, has approved concessions in the vending fee structure to ease the financial burden on vendors and encourage timely payment compliance.
Divulging details, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Balbir Raj Singh stated that street vendors who opt to deposit their vending fee on a lump-sum annual basis will be entitled to a 20 per cent rebate on the total annual vending fee payable for that year. Similarly, vendors choosing to pay their vending fee in advance on a half-yearly basis will receive a 10 per cent rebate on the applicable fee.
The notification has come into force with immediate effect and shall remain operative until further orders. The move is expected to benefit a large number of street vendors across urban and semi-urban areas of the state by providing financial relief and promoting structured compliance under the regulatory framework.
Officials noted that the decision reflects the state government’s continued commitment to safeguarding the livelihood of street vendors while ensuring systematic regulation of street vending activities.