Vitebsk launches a massive crackdown on illegal street trading

June 13, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Vitebsk is launching a massive crackdown on illegal street trade. The need for a broad propaganda campaign against lawbreakers was discussed today during a roundtable meeting at the Vitebsk City Executive Committee, a BELTA correspondent reports. Zinaida Koroleva, Deputy Chairperson of the City Executive Committee, noted that despite the measures taken by tax inspectorates and law enforcement agencies, unauthorized trade remains a persistent urban problem. "This is not only about violating legislation but also about ensuring the safety of residents and city guests," she emphasized. Confirming her words, Nikolai Krasovsky, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Vitebsk and the Vitebsk region, reported that none of the requirements for ensuring the safety of food products by street vendors are met, and goods seized or confiscated from them have never entered the trade network because they do not comply with sanitary standards. In total, there are 13 equipped trading platforms operating in the city for the sale of surplus agricultural products. Additionally, special spots are designated at markets. For instance, 150 such spots have been created at the Polotsk collective farm market alone. Despite the low rental fees, which range from Br1 thousand to Br5 thousand depending on the occupied area and assortment, a significant portion of them remain vacant. According to Igor Skorinovich, Deputy Head of the Public Security Police Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Internal Affairs Directorate, 40 administrative protocols for unauthorized trade have been drawn up in the regional center since the beginning of the year, with 20 of them in May. Tax authorities are also actively involved in combating violators. Valery Lobatsevich, Deputy Head of the Vitebsk Region Tax Inspectorate, stated that since the beginning of the year, goods worth Br270 million have been seized from illegal traders in Vitebsk alone. Furthermore, tax inspectors forward materials for further investigation to financial police bodies. However, the measures taken remain largely ineffective. In this regard, the City Executive Committee intends to launch a month-long campaign in the city to counter street trade. The focus of this campaign will be on preventive and educational work, primarily among buyers. Audio announcements about the dangers of purchasing goods from illegal vendors will be broadcast on public transport. In areas of spontaneous markets, tax authorities and law enforcement officers plan to distribute leaflets with information on the penalties for violating trade regulations, as well as guidance on how to legalize their businesses. Socially oriented trading spots, where no rent will be charged, are planned to be opened at collective farm markets. -0-