The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is bringing a wave of support to the city’s street vendors through special ‘Lok Kalyan Melas’ (Public Welfare Fairs). These events are part of the revitalized PM Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, recently extended by the Union Cabinet until 2030, promising sustained empowerment for vendors.
Running from September 17 to October 1, these welfare fairs are collaborative efforts, involving a wide range of partners. Banks, digital payment providers, local vending committees, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), various government departments, NGOs, and vendor associations are all coming together to ensure comprehensive support.
The core goals of this unique campaign are clear: to encourage new vendors to apply for the scheme, facilitate the swift disbursement of loans for those already approved, resolve pending and returned applications from banks, help digitally inactive beneficiaries get online, and provide essential training for street food vendors in partnership with FSSAI.
Although the PM SVANidhi scheme is active across all urban local bodies in Hyderabad, the GHMC, specifically its Urban Community Development wing, is the primary agency driving its implementation.
Spreading the Word: Innovative Outreach Methods
To ensure maximum reach, urban local bodies (ULBs) have been advised to launch extensive awareness campaigns. This includes using posters, banners, and digital screens in bustling vending zones, marketplaces, and transportation hubs. Additionally, mobile announcement vans will tour the city, as outlined in a concept note from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to reach every corner.
Further amplifying the message, social media campaigns, dedicated WhatsApp groups, and SMS alerts will be used to share mela schedules and highlight covered activities. The campaign also emphasizes involving local influencers, community and market leaders, and elected representatives to effectively spread awareness.
The GHMC faces ambitious targets: processing 12,324 new applications for loans, reviewing 1,808 applications returned by banks, digitally empowering 1,196 inactive vendors, and conducting socio-economic profiling for 2,174. Furthermore, the corporation aims to sanction 6,580 social security schemes.
To date, the corporation has successfully identified and issued identity cards to a remarkable 1,66,340 street vendors. Financial assistance has been significant, with 58,600 vendors receiving loans in the first phase, 26,092 in the second, and 10,686 in the third. Additionally, 12 city-wide locations have been designated for specialized training sessions for street food vendors, with local circles responsible for gathering participants.