Pune Street Vendor Rules Align With New Law

Pune has approved significant changes to the transfer process for registered street vendor permits, aligning its local regulations with national legislation while revising administrative charges that have remained unchanged for nearly two decades. The decision is expected to streamline permit management, improve legal compliance and strengthen the city’s approach to regulating informal commerce within designated vending zones.

The civic body’s Standing Committee has cleared a proposal to increase the fee for transferring registered vending certificates or licences to eligible family members from Rs 700 to Rs 1,000. Officials said the revision reflects updated administrative requirements and the need to harmonise municipal procedures with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, which came into force after the city’s earlier transfer policy was framed. The revised framework narrows eligibility for permit transfers by establishing a clear order of succession. In cases where a registered vendor dies, becomes permanently disabled or is unable to continue the business due to serious illness, the licence may first be transferred to the spouse and subsequently to dependent children, subject to statutory provisions. Urban governance experts say such clarity can reduce disputes while ensuring that livelihoods dependent on vending activities remain protected.

The updated policy replaces earlier provisions that allowed transfers across a broader range of family relationships. Civic officials maintain that the changes are intended to bring municipal regulations into conformity with the national legal framework governing street vending, while improving transparency in administrative decision-making. The increase in the transfer fee follows recommendations from the city’s Town Vending Committee, which observed that the existing charge had remained unchanged since 2005 despite rising administrative costs. Although the revised fee represents a modest increase, officials believe it will help sustain permit administration without significantly affecting eligible beneficiaries. Pune’s street vending ecosystem remains an important component of the city’s informal economy, supporting thousands of households while providing affordable goods and services across neighbourhoods. Urban planners increasingly argue that well-regulated vending contributes to inclusive economic development when integrated with pedestrian movement, public transport access and organised public spaces. According to civic records, biometric verification has been completed for more than 23,000 street vendors across Pune. The administration has also identified over 500 vending zones as part of efforts to formalise street trading while balancing the needs of commuters, local businesses and urban mobility. More than 12,000 registered vendors have already been rehabilitated within designated vending locations.

Experts note that effective implementation will now depend on maintaining updated vendor databases, transparent permit administration and regular consultation with vending committees. Such measures can reduce unauthorised occupation of public spaces while safeguarding the livelihoods of legitimate vendors operating under recognised regulations. As Pune continues to manage rapid urban growth, integrating informal commerce into long-term city planning will remain essential. The revised permit transfer rules represent another step towards creating a regulatory framework that seeks to balance economic opportunity, orderly public spaces and inclusive urban development.

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Pune Street Vendor Rules Align With New Law