Kakinada: Collector Muralidhar Reddy launches 'Green Vending Food Zone'

Kakinada: Special programmes are being implemented in the district to create sustainable livelihood for street vendors and small traders, said district collector D Muralidhar Reddy.

He launched Green Vending Food Zone along with SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi, joint collectors Dr G Lakshmisha, G Raja Kumari, Keerthi Chekuri and Kakinada Municipal Corporation commissioner Swapinil Dinakar Pundkar at Atchutramayya Street, Mclaren Grounds here on Friday.

With an aim to encourage street vendors especially food courts in Kakinada Smart City, the state government sanctioned Rs 10,000 to the street vendors to develop their business as capital investment. The KMC initially set up ten food courts.

The collector interacted with the street food vendors and suggested the vendors to take use government welfare schemes. He said that they should not stuck in the debt trap by taking loans from outside banks. He said the Pradhan Mantri Swayam Nidhi, Jaganna Thodu schemes were providing Rs 10,000 with the help of banks under a self-help scheme to help small traders. He explained that the annual interest on the loan would be borne entirely by the government.

He said that under the auspices of the KMC, green street vending zones are being set up in special areas with the aim of providing quality livelihood to street vendors. He said that the policy would not only solve the traffic problem but also help in selling hygienic food. He said that identity cards were specially handed out to street vendors.