Act against illegal Shiv Vadapav stalls: Chief Justice

The Bombay High Court has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to act against all illegal stalls running in the name of Shiv Vadapav, and submit a compliance report in 12 weeks time. A petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court alleging that all the 250 stalls operating in the city are illegal and don't have any permission or licences to operate.

The petition says people have been encroaching footpaths and cooking in the open while running these stalls. File pic

The petition was filed by Janseva Mandal, an NGO from Ghatkopar. The petitaioner claims all the 250 stalls/carts running in the city are illegal, and don't have requisite licences under Section 394 of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai Act 1888. As per the plea, in 1995, the Maharashtra government launched a scheme named ‘Zunka Bhakar Kendra,' to provide wholesome food at subsidised rates to the people.

The scheme was dropped in 2000 due to blatant misuse by stall operators. The same year, a new scheme titled ‘Shiv Vadapav' was floated, but was not approved. Even then, the stalls and carts mushroomed across the city, the PIL claimed.

The petitioner has also stated that there are gross misdoings of funds while allotting such carts and people have been encroaching footpaths and cooking in the open.

Yesterday, newly appointed Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Manjula Chellur, and Justice Mahesh Sonak while hearing the petition, were told by the petitioner's counsel that according to Justice Abhay Oka's orders, nobody can cook food in the open and that Shiv Vadapav stalls did not have any licenses to operate.

"When there are already comprehensive orders why do you need orders again? We want the civic body to act and submit a report soon," said Justice Chellur.

BMC counsel Trupti Puranik asked for 12 weeks time that was given by Justice Chellur.

- Inputs from Agencies