Exercise done with active support and cooperation from hawkers: Paul
Shillong, July 24: In a landmark success in efforts of successive governments, all eligible vendors of Khyndailad have been relocated to the designated vending zone on the first floor of MUDA parking lot in the commercial hub of Shillong city.
“In tandem with the district administration, urban affairs department has completed relocation of all eligible vendors in the first floor of MUDA parking lot in Khyndailad,” MDA government spokesperson and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh told reporters on Thursday.
Lyngdoh termed “historic” the government’s success in relocating the hawkers, saying, “We have been very closely following up the matter of relocation of hawkers and vendors at Khyndailad.”
Stating that the exercise had taken more time than anticipated by the government, he said, “…but then all is well that ends well.”
“We will be happy to see a brand fresh look and a facelift given to Khyndailad through this process of relocation of vendors,” he said.
The minister also informed about a survey conducted to identify eligible vendors with 1,400 street vendors participating in the exercise.
Of the surveyed vendors, 407 were deemed eligible to receive Certificates of Vending (CoVs) and 311 of them have collected their certificates.
The allotment of vending stalls was done through a transparent draw of lots, ensuring equal opportunity for all certified vendors.
At the new vending zone, 365 vending stalls were constructed of which 282 have been allotted through a transparent draw of lots, Lyngdoh said.
“Everyone was given equal opportunity of being able to be allotted a space through this draw of lots,” he said.
Indicating that the government job is not done yet, he said, “In our scheme of things, the first priority is relocation which we have done successfully.”
The minister also reminded that the exercise was done with active support and cooperation of all hawkers.
“Initially, there was complete resistance even to the idea of shifting. Yesterday, you could see there was a queue of hawkers trying to get a space and a stall… it is a major shift from opposing to actually vying that ‘no, no I should get first’,” he said.
Meanwhile, the state government has provided a one-time payment of Rs 10,000 and a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 for five months to the relocated vendors to mitigate with their economic losses.
He also assured that all necessary facilities would be provided to the relocated vendors.
To a query, Lyngdoh said the government has not received any report of CoVs being snatched away.
“A few stalls are left and we will ensure that everyone gets equal treatment and in sync with the principle that the rule of law should prevail,” he maintained.
