The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has urged the Nagaland government to immediately constitute and operationalise Town Vending Committees across the state, alleging that the absence of these statutory bodies has allowed private associations to misuse the Street Vendors Act, 2014.
In a letter dated October 27 to the Chief Secretary, CNCCI said the lack of functional committees had created a vacuum in which private bodies were allegedly exercising undue control over vendors and businesses. The practices cited include compulsory membership, unauthorised fines and penalties, and directives requiring establishments to close on Sundays. The letter was signed by General Secretary Avi Chase and Chairman Dr Khekugha Muru.
“The implementation of the Act must remain within the authority of competent statutory bodies and government agencies,” CNCCI said.
The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, sets a framework for regulating street vending, protecting vendors’ livelihoods, identifying vending zones and resolving related disputes. Town Vending Committees are among the mechanisms the law provides for that purpose.
CNCCI asked the government to direct all municipal and town councils to constitute and operationalise the committees in line with the Act and applicable Nagaland rules. It also sought a clear public definition of each committee’s composition, powers, functions and responsibilities, including the representation of street vendors and other stakeholders required by law.
The body further called for vendor registration, surveys, vending zones, regulation and grievances to be handled only through competent authorities and legally prescribed procedures, and for accessible grievance-redressal mechanisms to be established.
CNCCI said associations have a legitimate role in representing members and promoting collective welfare, but that role must not become coercive control over individuals or businesses. It said reports of compulsory membership, unauthorised fines and unilateral directives affecting business operations warranted serious examination, and that no private association should assume regulatory, enforcement or statutory powers not lawfully conferred on it.
The chamber asked the government to direct competent authorities to investigate complaints of forced membership, unauthorised financial demands, penalties and coercive directives, and to act where violations are established. It also sought instructions to municipal and town councils, police and other departments to stop private associations from exercising powers reserved for statutory authorities or interfering with lawful business and livelihoods.
“Any alleged violation of the law [should be] dealt with through due process by the competent authority, rather than through private enforcement, intimidation or arbitrary penalties,” CNCCI said.
It asked the government to clarify that protections for street vendors under the Act do not authorise private associations to impose compulsory membership, collect unauthorised fines or exercise powers beyond their lawful jurisdiction.
On Sunday closures, CNCCI said it “neither endorses nor opposes Sunday closure as a matter of principle,” but insisted that any direction affecting business operations must have a valid legal basis and be issued or enforced only by the competent authority. It said the government should immediately clarify directives issued by some associations in local daily newspapers.
CNCCI requested time-bound directions from the Chief Secretary’s office to the Department of Urban Development and all municipal and town councils for the constitution and operationalisation of Town Vending Committees and for effective grievance-redressal mechanisms. It also sought investigation and action against any unlawful or coercive practices by organisations exercising powers beyond their lawful jurisdiction.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/cncci-urges-nagaland-government-to-constitute-town-vending-committees
Category: Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2026-11-04 22:40:00
