In recent developments, the government of Maharashtra on Tuesday stated that it cannot issue a policy for street vendors in order for them to earn their daily wages as the vendors happen to be the most vulnerable, therefore, dangerous in terms of spreading the coronavirus.
The state government have also stated that as the street vendors belong to the unregulated sector, it would be difficult to allow them to carry business as it could be harmful to the health of the society at large. This comes after a division bench of Justices A Sayed and M S Karnik through video-conferencing heard public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Manoj Jalamchand Oswal. Oswal raised concerns regarding the livelihood of the street vendors as their income has come to a standstill with the restrictions being imposed in the state.
Advocate Ashish Vermahad, however, argued that since hotels and restaurants have been allowed to resume operations, street vendors should be allowed as well. The court, however, stated that the petitioner cannot equate them with street vendors. The state, which is planning to open hotels in non-containment zones in a staggered manner, is much different from allowing street vendors to operate on the roads like before. However, the court on Tuesday has directed the state government to file a detailed explanation as to why it cannot frame a policy for the street vendors to operate.
Meanwhile, India's total COVID-19 cases have risen to 7,19,665 cases of which 2,59,557 are active while 4,39,948 people have recovered. 20,160 people have died so far. Lockdown has been extended till July 31. On the other hand, Maharashtra witnessed 6,555 COVID-19 cases on July 5. Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally rose to 2,11,987. Currently, there are 87,681 active cases in the state. With 3,522 COVID-19 patients discharged in the day, the number of recovered soared to 1,15,262.
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