Kerala plans to bring 18,000 street food stores under one brand

Street food stores in Kerala will soon be branded with the Kudumbashree Mission asked to spearhead a to revamp the stores across the state. The move aims to ensure quality and safe food at a reasonable price to the public. 

The state has made the proposal in line with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, passed by the Central government. Under the project, vendors will be provided with uniforms and improved legal and infrastructure support. 

A preliminary survey was conducted, and the legal framework for the execution of the programme is ready. The project will be implemented in line with Urban Livelihood Mission. 

As many as 18,000 outlets are functioning in 93 urban pockets in the state. Of this, 90% vendors sell food. The aim of the mission is to build an affordable chain of street food stalls that provides good quality food by improving the infrastructure of the outlets. 

Kudumbashree Mission will provide licenses to vendors and provide legally sanctioned places to them. Only those stores that are obstructing traffic will be shifted to new places, but all of them will get support to develop minimum infrastructure and to maintain hygiene and quality. 

The mission has already started issuing identity cards to vendors in Malappuram and Palakkad. Some have been rehabilitated to a new location where authorities will provide them infrastructure including water supply, electricity and temporary building. They will have to pay a small amount as rent, reports Mathrubhumi.

Authorities have already prepared packages for relocation and rehabilitation of vendors at Kasargod and Kozhikode bus stations. 
 

• Kerala
• street food stores
• Kudumbashree