04/06/2026
বিহারের আরা কেন্দ্র থেকে নির্বাচিত সিপিআইএম-এল লিবারেশন সাংসদ তথা পার্টির কেন্দ্রীয় কমিটির সদস্য কমরেড সুদামা প্রসাদ পশ্চিমবঙ্গে রেলের হকার উচ্ছেদের তীব্র বিরোধিতা করে রেল মন্ত্রককে চিঠি লিখলেন। "in the name of "modernisation" and "beautification", station premises are increasingly being handed over to large commercial chains and corporate retail outlets such as Big Bazaar, Spencer's, Kalyan Jewellers and Pizza Hut. This reflects a discriminatory, anti-poor appreach...." লিখেছেন তিনি।
Ref: CPIML/PO/SP/0626/04/01
Date: 04.06.2026
To, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw
Hon'ble Minister of Railways
Government of India
Rail Bhavan, New Delhi
Subject: *Strong objection against indiscriminate eviction of Railway hawkers from platforms and station premises in West Bengal without rehabilitation*
Sir,
On behalf of concerned citizens, organisations, unions and representatives of railway hawkers and informal workers of West Bengal, I wish to register the strongest protest and deep concern regarding the ongoing large-scale eviction drive against railway hawkers from station premises across the state.
For decades, thousands of small hawkers, tea sellers, book vendors, food vendors and petty traders have earned their livelihood in and around railway stations through honest labour. These workers form an integral part of the railway ecosystem, providing affordable services to lakhs of passengers daily. Many belong to economically vulnerable sections - including Scheduled Castes, minorities, women-headed families and migrant workers - whose entire survival depends upon these occupations.
The present eviction drive is being carried out in an arbitrary and inhuman manner, without any rehabilitation programme, alternative vending arrangements, social security protection or meaningful consultation with affected families, pushing thousands towards starvation and unemployment.
It is particularly distressing that while poor traditional hawkers are being removed in the name of "modernisation" and "beautification", station premises are increasingly being handed over to large commercial chains and corporate retail outlets such as Big Bazaar, Spencer's, Kalyan Jewellers and Pizza Hut. This reflects a discriminatory, anti-poor approach where public spaces - built through public resources - are being corporatised at the expense of marginalised self- employed workers. Development cannot be synonymous with the destruction of livelihoods of the poor.
In this context, I demand the following:
1. Immediate halt to all eviction drives against railway hawkers in West Bengal until a transparent and humane rehabilitation policy is formulated.
2. Recognition of livelihood rights of traditional railway hawkers and vendors through issuance of formal certifications.
3. A comprehensive rehabilitation package including alternative vending zones, licensing mechanisms, financial assistance and social security measures.
4. Constitution of a consultative committee comprising representatives of hawkers' organisations, trade unions and civil society groups to devise a fair and inclusive policy.
5. An end to discriminatory policy of evicting poor hawkers while facilitating corporate commercial occupation of railway premises.
6. Protection of the constitutional right to livelihood guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
We urge your office to intervene immediately and ensure that Indian Railways adopts a humane, democratic and socially responsible approach - one that does not deepen inequality and economic distress among the poor. We sincerely hope the Ministry will take urgent corrective measures and initiate dialogue with all affected stakeholders.
Thank You,
Sudama Prasad
Member of Parliament
Arrah (Bihar)
Member, Standing Committee of Railways
