Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the State government to see to it the families of street vendors, identified by the Kochi Corporation, got sufficient food and medicine, and attach them to the nearest community kitchens.
While distributing relief materials and financial aid, the court also ordered, vendors should not be discriminated against on account of their nature of activities or status as migrant from other states.
The court was responding to a report filed by the amicus curiae in a case related to the regulation of street vending in the corporation areas.
The report had described that lockdown made street vendors unable to earn livelihood, thus depriving their families of food and other essential commodities, including medicines.
They were also denied benefits of various relief measures, the report said.
The court directed the identified street vendors to sign up at the nearest community kitchens with a copy of the order.