# Festive Relief for Street Vendors as NHRC Directs States to Halt Arbitrary Evictions

> The National Human Rights Commission has instructed states and Union Territories to protect the livelihoods of street vendors, potters, and small shopkeepers during Navratri, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Madhya Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-10-05 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/madhya-pradesh/tyohari-sijana-men-rehari-patari-valon-ko-rahata-nhrc-ne-rajyon-ko-die-manamani-karravai-rokane-ke-nirdesha-43038 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Street Vendors, NHRC, Diwali, Navratri, Chhath Puja, Human Rights Commission, Vending Rights

With the festive season underway, markets across the country are bustling with activity as roadside stalls set up to sell ceremonial goods, decorative items, and festive essentials. For street vendors, hawkers, potters, and small-scale traders, this period serves as the primary window for yearly earnings and livelihood sustenance. However, routine anti-encroachment drives often leave these micro-merchants vulnerable to sudden displacement. In a move aimed at safeguarding these informal workers during Navratri, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued comprehensive directives to all states and Union Territories to prevent arbitrary actions against local sellers.

## Safeguarding Livelihoods and Human Rights
The commission emphasized that the human rights and earning opportunities of small vendors must be actively protected during the festive months. Authorities have been advised against launching disruptive or uncoordinated eviction drives that destabilize local trade. In instances where relocating a stall becomes unavoidable due to fire safety protocols or critical public safety concerns, local administrations are mandated to provide suitable alternative vending zones. Furthermore, the instructions strictly bar municipal authorities and enforcement teams from resorting to arbitrary confiscation of merchandise or imposing unreasonable monetary penalties on small traders.

## Strict Action Against Extortion and Harassment
The NHRC issued structured guidelines for administrative bodies to follow across urban and rural markets

- **Halt on Unnecessary Drives:** Authorities must refrain from arbitrarily removing, harassing, or intimidating informal sector merchants.
- **Provision of Alternate Locations:** Whenever public safety necessitates clearance, vendors must be accommodated in designated alternate spots to keep their businesses viable.
- **Curbs on Goods Seizure:** Indiscriminate confiscation of stock and unjust penalties against vendors are prohibited.
- **Redressal for Harassment and Extortion:** Complaints concerning coercive extortion, harassment, or illicit interference against vendors must be prosecuted strictly under the law.
- **Promoting Local Artisans:** In alignment with supporting indigenous craftsmanship, regional artisans, potters, and traditional trade products must be actively encouraged.
- **Administrative Accountability:** Chief Secretaries must ensure broad dissemination of these rules across district authorities, municipal corporations, and police divisions.

## Compliance and Action Taken Reports
State administrations and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to ensure strict compliance at the field level. For all pending matters and implementation assessments, authorities are required to submit their supplementary or complete Action Taken Reports (ATR) to the commission by 18 October 2026. This directive reinforces that urban management and safety compliance must balance public order with the economic rights of vulnerable street vendors during key cultural celebrations.

## What this means for you
This directive provides immediate economic relief to micro-retailers while keeping local markets accessible for festive shoppers.

- **Protection for Small Traders:** Hawkers and artisans face significantly reduced risks of arbitrary stock confiscation or abrupt eviction during prime selling weeks. This ensures that their seasonal income remains secure without unannounced administrative disruptions.
- **Right to Alternative Space:** If relocation is mandated for emergency access or public safety, municipal bodies must allocate alternative trading spots. Vendors can thus maintain their customer base without losing peak festival revenue.
- **Benefits for Shoppers:** Consumers will find traditional puja items, earthen lamps, and festive decor readily available in neighborhood markets. This maintains price competition and eases access to seasonal products across urban centers.
- **Curbs on Extortion:** Clear administrative accountability shields street merchants from unauthorized collections and unlawful penalties. Vendors have a documented mechanism to seek redress against coercive administrative interference.

## Why this happened
During major Indian festivals, high market footfall often triggers aggressive civic clearance drives that disproportionately hurt informal vendors. The regulatory intervention aims to harmonize public safety enforcement with the fundamental right to livelihood.

- **Recurrent Disruptions During Peak Sales:** In previous years, sudden crackdowns right before major festivals left artisans and vendors with unsold inventory and severe debt. These recurring hardships prompted the human rights authority to step in.
- **Balancing Safety with Relocation:** Clearances often occur citing fire hazards and crowd management concerns without offering substitute arrangements. The new guidelines establish that public safety measures must include viable alternative vending space.
- **Encouraging Traditional Crafts:** Artisans and earthen pot makers depend almost entirely on festival-specific sales for their annual income. Ensuring unhindered trading spaces actively supports localized production and grassroots enterprise.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which festivals are covered under the NHRC directive?
The instructions apply to the festive season encompassing Navratri, Diwali, and Chhath Puja to protect micro-merchants.

### 2. What must authorities do if a vendor needs to be moved for safety reasons?
If relocation is required due to fire safety or public security, authorities must provide the vendor with a viable alternative vending location.

### 3. Can municipal authorities arbitrarily seize a vendor's stock?
No, the commission's directives explicitly prohibit arbitrary confiscation of goods and the imposition of unjust monetary penalties.

### 4. What is the deadline for submitting the Action Taken Report?
State administrations are required to submit their complete or supplementary Action Taken Reports by 18 October 2026.

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