The informal sector in developing economies, including India, significantly contributes to economic growth. 83% of the workforce is employed in the unorganized sector, while the organized sector employs only 17%. India's urban poor, primarily migrants from rural areas, predominantly engage in informal labour including street vending. Individuals who lack formal education and marketable skills sell goods on the streets. 15 crore Indians have links to street vending or hawking, based on a NASVI survey. In this industry, marginalized groups find significant sources of employment and income. Authorities often overlook the economic significance of street vendors, failing to recognize them as legitimate businesses. This research aims to comprehensively understand the socio-economic situation, health status, and occupational profile among street vendors in the study area. The study focuses on Mahuadanr, a village Panchayat in Latehar. Data was collected using anthropological methods such as observation, interviews (both structured and unstructured), and case studies. 120 street vendors were surveyed. The study reveals that the number of female vendors is higher compared to male vendors. The largest age group among the respondents is 36-59 years, comprising 57.5% of the sample. Most of the female hawkers have completed their schooling till 10th standard (63.89%). Additionally, 45.02% of the respondents earn between INR 1000-6000 daily. Accounting for 31.66 %, most of the female hawkers sell vegetables. Most of them work full-time, varying between 8-12 hours, 20.83 % of respondents are taking this profession due to poverty, and 14.16 % of the respondents are facing the problem of transportation during market time. The prevalence of typhoid and malaria are very high among all health concerns accounting for 22.5% and 15%. The habits of alcohol, tobacco, and gambling were present in 30.83%, 21.66%, and 21.66% of the total. The study also reveals that many government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), E-Shram Portal, PM SVANidhi: Micro Credit Scheme for Street Vendors are not successful in the study area due to a lack of awareness and literacy among the vendors.
Street Vendors, Socio-Economic, Health Status, Quality Life
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.