BJP opposes night markets in residential areas

Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar has demanded that night markets should not be allowed in residential areas of the city.

While speaking in the state Legislative Assembly last week, Mr Shelar said that the licences for night markets in the state are given under section 394 of the Municipal Act. However, the Centre’s new Act about night markets is in the offing, which allows such markets in residential areas. “Will this Act be mandatory for the state also If it is, night markets should not be allowed in residential areas,” said Mr Shelar.

Replying to him, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that the Centre’s Act would not be mandatory for the state.

The night markets proposal is the brainchild of BJP MLA Ameet Satam. “To woo tourists, the BMC should set up night markets in hawking zones of the city. These markets can be held every Saturday from 2 pm to 6 pm on Sunday by charging appropriate fees to hawkers,” Mr Satam had said.

Replying to his proposal, the BMC chief had given a positive response, saying that a night markets policy would be formalised while creating hawkers’ zones. Accordingly the night markets proposal has been passed in the BMC law committee.

“As per the directions of Supreme Court and state government, the BMC has appointed town vending committee to demarcate hawking zones in the city. While creating the hawkers’ zone, the policy about starting night markets will also be formalised,” said civic officials.

The BMC has appointed Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and art school Rachana Sansad to study its proposed hawkers’ policy. These agencies have also been told to study the concept of night markets in their study.