'Why this helplessness'? HC slams Maharashtra govt for failure to act against illegal hawkers

The Bombay High Court on Thursday rebuked the Maharashtra government for failing to fully implement the provisions of an Act against unauthorised hawkers and instead getting into a blame game with the Mumbai civic body while citizens continue to suffer.

Expressing dismay over non-execution of its orders passed from time to time, the HC cautioned that if forced, then it would not shy away from exercising contempt jurisdiction.

A division bench pointed out that state authorities have failed to implement the provisions of the Street Vendors Act, introduced 10 years ago, even as citizens continue to suffer the menace of unauthorised hawkers and vendors on public roads in the metropolis.