STREET VENDORS in Chandigarh owe ₹85 crore as fee to the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh.There were 10,589 registered street vendors in all, but the licenses of 6,904 vendors have been cancelled for failing to clear their dues.“We are taking strict action against the defaulter vendors, who are not clearing their dues.Therefore we de-registered licenses of 6,904 vendors,” said Sumeet Shubhankar, Joint Commissioner, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.As per official data, only 4,035 vendors are paying their dues regularly at present.His ward-wise list of vendors along with their dues is being uploaded on the MC house meeting agenda for June 10 for discussion.During the MC house meeting, a policy for allowing certain street vendors to operate in some areas of Chandigarh may also be taken up.As per the Chandigarh Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules, 2018, which came into effect on July 18, 2018, various “Teeh Bazaars” are allowed in the city.Story continues below this adAmritsari naan* sellers are allowed to place tables and chairs in front of their shops.The MC officials said that “vendors of kulcha chholay, channa bhatura, tandoor, Amritsari naan, are not allowed to place tables and chairs in front of their shops, rather they are to serve food in a proper manner in the area of 5×6 only”.Also Read | ‘Elite mindset’: HC junks Manimajra RWA plea against street vendors, imposes ₹1 lakh costHowever, when contacted, Jaipur Singh Bunty, who is also Street Deputy Mayor, said that all other vendors are making payments on time, except the slot of illegal vendors.It is unfortunate that the MC is not acting against illegal/ street vendors, he said.Story continues below this ad“What are the MC inspectors doing if these illegal vendors are there in the MC list?” Jaipur Singh Bunty asked.“They always say that vendors of kulcha chholay, chana bhatura, etc, are not paying the fees regularly. But if we talk about the records, they are making regular payments. I request the MC officials to act against the illegal vendors, not the vendors of kulcha chholay, channa bhatura, etc,” he added.THE MUNICIPAL Corporation (MC), Chandigarh on Thursday removed 23 illegal vendors and issued 37 challans in areas like Sector 17 and Sector 22 market and Sadar Bazaar in Sector 19 in its anti-encroachment drive.The action was taken following the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra.Story continues below this adA total of 23 vendors were removed and 37 challans were issued in the city during the drive.According to civic officials, several unauthorised vendors were found occupying footpaths and other public spaces, creating obstructions for pedestrians and local businesses.Fines and penalties were imposed on the violators.Joint Commissioner Sumeet Shubhankar said that the enforcement team and area inspectors undertook a special inspection in the market areas to identify and take action against encroachments.The MC has intensified its enforcement activities to ensure the proper use of public spaces and maintain civic order.Story continues below this adThe civic body appealed to the vendors to operate within the designated zones and follow the rules to avoid penalties and other violations.