The Bengaluru Jilla Beedhi Vyapari Sanghatnegala Okkuta (Bengaluru Street Vendors' Federation), representing the interests of street vendors' Unions in Bangalore, has submitted comment to the DPIIT with demands for policies to keep their businesses sustainable. They seek measures to help small retail and vendors compete with e-commerce companies using advantages of capital funding to sustain continued losses. They also make an important submission on Community Data, asking for widespread consultation on the subject of data, data ownership and its usage. The complete submission is accessible here and summarised below. We are also compiling a list of submissions to the DPIIT on the draft policy. Specific demands before the release of a policy Release of a consultative report: The DPIIT must speak with Street Vendors' Unions about the effect of e-commerce on the state of their businesses and come out with a report. The Department must set up a committee to look into how livelihoods in street vending and small retail are badly affected, and prepare a report on the impact and the concerns raised by the businesses. Public and accessible discussion of the draft: The Draft Policy must be translated into all Indian languages and discussed on a public forum. There can only be progress on eventual adoption of a policy after public discussions about the proposed measures. Development of a policy for small retail: This is done through discussions with vendors' unions on what steps can be taken to improve business. Some measures would include accessible credit, ease of access to goods…
