Initiated programme to educate vegetable vendors about Covid Appropriate Behavior: GHMC to TS HC

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has initiated a programme to educate vegetable vendors about the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and following Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) while selling their produce.

GHMC submitted an affidavit to Telangana High Court stating that in view of the pandemic, "many measures have been evolved by the GHMC to strike a balance between the livelihood of the vendors and at the same time to see that the point of sale does not become a place that has the propensity for the transmission of COVID 19."

Telangana high court in its previous hearing had asked GHMC to ensure vendors in large fruit/vegetable markets wear masks and follow CAB.

GHMC in its submission said street vegetable vendors sell their produce and Rythu Bazars ( which are operating weekly basis ).

"In the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Limits, Vegetable vendors come from the outskirts of the city and sell their fresh from farm vegetables. They are all petty vendors who eke out their livelihood by avoiding the middlemen by selling their products in different parts of the city and in different colonies/streets on designated days. In view of the freshness of the produce, the city residents also show a preference for the vegetables and fruits sold by these vendors. The vegetable vendors bring their produce, sell them and leave the place. This way, it is beneficial to the vendors as well as the city residents," said GHMC.

The GHMC added that all the GHMC staff have been issued instructions and have been trained to monitor these temporary vegetable markets in the city.

The GHMC said they have initiated and educated the vendors about the importance of social distancing and following CAB during the sale of their produce.

"Banners have been put at these places indicating the importance of following COVID protocols and announcements are made to sensitize the people. The vendors are also instructed to refrain from selling their produce if they are suffering from any symptoms associated with COVID. It is submitted that the GHMC would be continually monitoring the vegetable markets and would take necessary steps in relation to curbing the spread of COVID," GHMC said.