NULM: Urban Street VendorsStreet vendors constitute an important segment at the bottom of the pyramid of the informal economy in cities. Street vending provides a source of self-employment, and acts as a measure of urban poverty alleviation. Street vending also has a prominent place in the urban supply chain, and provides inexpensive and convenient access to goods and services to all segments of the population including the poor. Street vending is therefore an integral part of the economic growth process in urban areas.
In this context, the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) seeks to address the concerns of urban street vendors by facilitating access to suitable spaces for vending, institutional credit, improved skills and social security linkages. The Support to Urban Street Vendors Component of NULM sets out the strategy and operational guidelines with regard to this component.
The objective of the component is to address the vulnerabilities of the urban street vendors through a multi-pronged approach. This includes:
(i) Survey of street vendors and issue of Identity Cards
(ii) Development of city street vending plans
(iii) Infrastructure development of vending zones in the city
(iv) Training and Skill Development
(v) Financial Inclusion
(vi) Access to credit
(vii) Linkages to social security schemes