The report was prepared after the intervened of the PMO following reports that “local goons” had a major hand in the implementation of the project. The PMO had directed the Delhi Government to take stock of the situation, though the project falls under the purview of the MCD.

In his report, the Chief Secretary said, “It was contended by NGO Manushi that it had become the victim of blackmail by unscrupulous elements in the MCD and that it is a requirement that the implementation of the policy should be done in such a way so as to ensure that the vendors are not subjected to exploitation by unscrupulous elements.”

According to the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court the selection of the eligible vendors were to be made by an NGO (in this case Manushi) and the grant of licence to do business in allotted spaces by the MCD. Under the present system the vendors for the upgraded kiosks are selected by the chairman of the Ward Committee in the MCD.

Mehta’s report has recommended that an independent state-level commission, free of political affiliations, be set up for the selection of vendors who are to be allotted kiosks. The panel would engage NGOs for developing hawker markets on the lines of the Sewa Nagar project. The funds for the hawker markets are to be made available by the Commission while all services of water, electricity, and sanitation to be paid for by the hawkers’ association.