Rs 1,200/month to be charged from vendors for Smart Cart

A Chennai Corporation official said that tenders have already been floated to provide 900 stainless vending carts at a total cost of Rs. 16.47 crore as per the order issued by the Madras high court. The court had also directed to reduce the shops to 900 from the existing number of more than 1,300 registered vendors.

“Of the 900 shops, 540 (60 per cent) will be allocated to the existing vendors while the remaining shops will be allocated to new vendors. After the applications are received, they will be scrutinised and the shops will be allotted by a draw of lots,” theofficial said.

The selected vendor should pay the monthly rent of Rs 1,000 for smart cart and maintenance charges of Rs 200 per month. They should also pay annual license fees of Rs 3,000 for the carts with motor, and Rs 1,500 for carts without motors.

Once the civic body selects and allots carts to the vendors, the officials would allow the vendors to remain open for business between 4 pm and 9 pm on authorised days. The civic body will notify ‘no vending days’.

If the vendor shifts the shop from the allocated spot, they would be fined Rs 5,000 at first instance and Rs 1,500 per day in subsequent cases. After seven days, such vendors would be evicted and their permission wouldbe revoked.