Hawkers' rights
                        There has been a confrontation between   Mysore City  Theatre  Artists Confederation (MCTAC) and the City Hawkers' Association (CHA)   on their claim for open space  in front of the Town Hall. This has resulted in a headon clash between two groups with regard to control of open areas. MCTAC has taken exception  to the degradation of Town Hall  area  by hawkers and other unsocial elements. This has resulted in both the organisations going on a protest march  to DC's and MCC's offfices by one group while CHA has filed a police complaint alleging  demand of protection money by a former corporator. Of course, nobody can take exception to degrading  the space around Town Hall which is a symbol of city's cultural centre and a magnificent heritage. Therefore, it is necessary that  the authorities concerned should take appropriate action that the surrounding areas are kept free from encroachment. The present situation shows a sorry situatioin where hawkers have spoiled the ambience. It is in that context that the authorities should  come out with some viable scheme to regualte hawkers. A knee jerk reaction that it is illegal will not make the problem disappear for they are inalienable part of our society with certain rights guranteed by the constitution. Hitherto, no serious attempt has been made in this direction. Hence following points are highlighted.
 
                            First of all it is necessary to recognise some basic facts which can not be brushed under the carpet. The facts are:
 
                            1. Hawkers are a part of our society
                            2. They hawk because  it is their livlihood.
                            3. This service has existed for ages and it serves society's needs
                            4. livlihood is guaranteed under the constitution
                            5 There are several judgements from the Supreme Court to regulate hawking
                            6 The most important judgement is that the municipal authorities have to demarkate
                               areas as 'Hwking'  and .'No-Hawking zones'.
                            
                            The realities are:
 
                            1 Hawkers sell their wares in open places exposed to vagaries of climate.
 
                            2. The surroundings are unhealthy since there is no toilet facilities or drinking
                                water.
                            3.  Municipal Laws are stacked against them
 
                            4. The police and mafia gangs collect their hafta for protectioin money from hawkers
 
                            5.  The place where they hawk  becomes dirty and smelly because there
                                 are no toilet facilities  and for drinking water.
 
                            6.  It is the place where.anti-social elements frequent and women can not  move
                                 safely.
 
                            7. The middle and upper class shun them and have little sensitivity  to their lot and
                                look upon them as public nuisance.
 
                            8. Municipal authorities wake up periodically to surprise them  and shoo them away
                                when public raise a hue and cry.
 
                            9. People's representatives only intervene on behalf of hawkers not to solve
                                the problem but come in the way of eviction as a vote bank ploy
 
                            Action required to remedy the situation:
 
                            1. Recognise that hawkers have their right  for livlihood
 
                            2. Do not throw rules and regulations on their face but treat their plight with
                                sympathy and sensitivity.
                          
                            3. Supreme Court has given a ruling that  evry city should have 'Hwking' and
                                'No-Hawking zone' Govtsahve routinely flouted the ruling.
 
                            4. Come out with a viable scheme in consultation of  the Hawker's Association
                                to identify the 'Hwking' and 'No-Hawking' zones in the city
 
                            5. Every city has its own peculiaries and recognising this to  evolve a workable
                                scheme.
 
                            6. Provide in these zones for public toilets and drinking water to ensure
                                clean surroundings.
 
                            7. Since Mysore is full of heritage structures , it is important to keep the
                                hawking away to a distance to preserve its ambience.
 
                            8. If necessary introduce  the concept of 'Py and Hawk' scheme.
 
                            9. Police should  monitor these hawking places strictly but with sensitivity
 
                           
                 
 
 
 
                            .