Murari Lal vs. Chairman, Town Vending Committee and Ors.
Background
A street food vendor who had participated in a 2021 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) survey and been issued an acknowledgement receipt, but never received his provisional Certificate of Vending, sought a direction allowing him to peacefully vend and compelling issuance of the certificate. The delay was attributed to the Town Vending Committee (TVC-II) not being constituted for several years.
Decision Breakdown
The Court, following its recent similar rulings for vendors in the "Food/Snack with gas cylinder/fire" category, permitted the vendor to continue operating subject to conditions on space usage, hygiene, gas cylinder size, and no permanent construction. It directed the newly-elected TVC-II, once formally constituted, to issue his provisional Certificate of Vending within three months, while clarifying that no vested rights arise pending any future vending plan. N/A
Lesson Learnt
A prolonged administrative delay in constituting a statutory vending committee should not indefinitely deprive an otherwise eligible street vendor of his livelihood; courts can grant interim protection alongside a firm deadline for the authority to act.