Government’s handholding of street food vendors takes off

PM SVANidhi Yojana scheme by central government, appreciating the tightening of working capital of street food vendors due to loss of business under COVID-19 lockdown, is offering loans to meet the same. Loans up to Rs 10,000 and to over 50 lakh vendors in the entire country are planned. To enable prompt processing, technology in the form of apps is being utilized.

When the lockdown had to be initiated because of pandemic COVID-19, the whole world was turned upside down. Gradually, as life inches towards normalcy, not only many businesses are in a risky position but the customers are also missing various goods and services. In addition, the wreckage left by pandemic opens up doors for new possibilities.

Regarding food delivery, aggregators were able to include only restaurants. Customets may have wanted a possibility to order from their favorite nearby street food vendor. This could be because of taste or cost or both. However, the apps like Swiggy or Zomato had no possibility for their inclusion.

Also Read: Post-Lockdown Food Diaries!! 4 in 10 dine-in restaurants begin food delivery in India

Now, the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry (MoHUA) has permitted the street food vendors to online. It would be pertinent to add that none of the food safety or accounting policies will be relaxed to enable the same. Tax department’s Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s registration will be mandatory as it is for restaurants.

This move will help not only allay any concerns in the minds of the customers but also put the lesser-capitalized food vendors as well as the more-capitalized restaurants on equal footing in the app. Since competition is always good for the customer, all these should lead to progress for all.

 In a thrust in this direction, food aggregator Swiggy has begun a pilot with 250 vendors across five cities namely Indore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, and Delhi. Swiggy will provide help with the government formalities, as well as with onboarding the new businesses online.

 Foodies and street food vendors in the other parts of the nation need feel left behind. Once the pilot proves successful, Swiggy and the MoHUA will take this project nation-wide, though in phases.

 The pain of an individual who has been at the receiving end of income decline or a complete loss of the same due to the pandemic COVID-19 can only be appreciated by the person. Still, with a positive attitude and initiatives of the government, one may be able to tide over and come out stronger – financially and otherwise.