Socio economic conditions of street vendors in Urban Amritsar

Informal sector plays an important role as it provides employment opportunities to various people thereby reducing their poverty. Street vending forms significant part of this sector. It provides employment opportunities to many people who are not skilled enough to undertake other jobs. Despite of its importance, the role of vendors is often ignored and their socio economic condition is quite vulnerable. The street vendors were found to be illegally occupying the streets and the platforms and were forced to bribe police for this purpose. A large section of street vendor in urban areas of Amritsar was having low skill. They had migrated from rural areas or small towns in search of employment. Due to lack of any special training, they were forced to earn their livelihood via street vending.