Berhampur: Street vendors form an integral part of the Odisha economy and constitute an essential element of the urban supply chain by providing necessary goods and services in the neighborhoods. While they contribute greatly to the economic growth, mostly they are the sole bread earners in their families. However, the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has deeply affected the lives and livelihoods of the street vendors in most parts of the State. The prolonged lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the virus has adversely impacted the street vendors. Keeping in view the difficulties, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 26.29 crore for the urban street vendors of the State. The financial assistance will support and benefit at least 87,657 street vendors of various cities. While this has come as a much needed succor to them, they continue to praise the Chief Minister for this.
The street vendors belonging to the urban areas of Gopalpur constituency in Ganjam district have expressed their deep gratitude to the Chief Minister for his humanitarian gesture at this difficult time.
“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s decision to provide financial assistance to us is a welcome move. The financial assistance is very timely and will immensely help poor street vendors like us who are impacted by Covid-19 in resuming our livelihoods”, says Suresh Chaudhary, a fruit seller from Gopalpur NAC.
The Covid-19 induced lockdowns have led to closure of market places and made people to remain in their homes and the street vendors had a hard time in selling their products.
Trinath Reddy, who runs a small tea shop in Gopalpur town, said that his business was thriving prior to the lockdown and he managed to run his family. But the prolonged lockdown had adversely affected his business.
“During the lockdown, my situation was miserable” says Reddy.
As the Government has eased the lockdown restrictions and allowed the street vendors to reopen their shops, they are now desperately looking for financial support to restart their business.
The Odisha Government’s financial package has come as great relief for several small shop owners like Trinath Reddy in Gopalpur area.
“It gave us much-needed financial boost to restart our business” said Gouri Shankar Das, a vegetable seller in the neighborhood.
As the pandemic has taken its toll on the street vendors, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken various measures to keep the wheels of the informal economy rolling. Direct cash transfer to the bank accounts of the street vendors is one of the measures to provide instant financial support to them to restart their business.
The district administration has identified as many as 224 street vendors in Gopalpur NAC who have received the financial assistance in the first phase. The assistance is going to help them restart their business activity and sustain their lives.
In the fight against Covid-19, Chief Minister Naveen has given utmost priority on saving lives and livelihoods of the people.