Gujarat: hawkers who were removed ahead of VJS move HC

Acting on a petition alleging that the state government evicted hawkers ahead of next month's Vibrant Gujarat Summit-2015 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat High Court today sought replies from various government departments.
These hawkers have food-stalls in front of the Swaminarayan temple. According to the petition, the site is five kms away from the summit venue.
A division bench of Justices Akil Kureshi and V M Pancholi issued notices to the revenue, forest and road and building departments in response to the petition of Gandhinagar Sehar Laari-Galla union, a hawkers' association.
The court also issued notices to Gandhinagar district collector, district forest officer, municipal commissioner and Swaminarayan temple.

The petition, filed through advocate Harshad Thakar, challenges district forest officer's eviction drive of December 3, which removed the hawkers "from the place of their business without prior notice or stating reasons" on the pretext of security for the summit.
While government is inviting the whole world to take part in VJS investors summit, the poor citizens of the state are being deprived of their livelihood, it says.

According to the petition, Gujarat government had in 2007 allocated 10,000 square metres of land to Swaminarayan temple, while 5,000 square metres of land was given for 'food court'.
However, it provided no place for hawkers who do the business in front of the temple. Hawkers had demanded land from the government but there was response, it says.

The petition will be heard on January 5.