Government’s handholding of street food vendors takes off

PMSVANidhi Yojana scheme by central government, appreciating the tighteningof working capital of street food vendors due to loss of business under COVID-19lockdown, is offering loans to meet the same. Loans up to Rs 10,000 and to over50 lakh vendors in the entire country are planned. To enable prompt processing, technology in theform of apps is being utilized.

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

Regarding food delivery, aggregators were able to includeonly restaurants. Customets may have wanted a possibility to order from theirfavorite nearby street food vendor. This could be because of taste or cost orboth. However, the apps like Swiggy or Zomato had no possibility for theirinclusion.

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) haspermitted the street food vendors to online. It would be pertinent to add thatnone of the food safety or accounting policies will be relaxed to enable thesame. Tax department’s Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Food Safety andStandards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s registration will be mandatory as it isfor restaurants.

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

 In a thrust in this direction, food aggregator Swiggy hasbegun 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 thenation need feel left behind. Once the pilot proves successful, Swiggy and the MoHUAwill take this project nation-wide, though in phases.

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