Shillong, Nov 25: A section of hawkers and street vendors in Shillong have alleged deprivation from a compensation process introduced for hawkers for relocation from their existing business spots on the roadside.
The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) has slammed a notification issued by the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC), claiming it’s “arbitrary” since it excludes dozens of vendors operating around Shillong Civil Hospital.
According to the association, there was no PTVC discussion on the matter before the PTVC secretary, who is also the additional deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills, issued the notification on November 14.
When an in-situ survey took place across Shillong in December 2023, it captured only 29 vendors in Civil Hospital area although there are approximately 43 genuine hawkers, who have been vending in the area for many years, alleged the association.
“The list that the SMB unilaterally published after completing the survey in Shillong, on 27 May 2024, of so-called eligible vendors in the civil hospital area, even though a claims and objections process had not taken place contains only 14 names – without giving any reason for denial or exclusion of other genuine vendors. More than 50% of the surveyed hawkers who have been surveyed in situ, i.e. about 15 are being wrongfully omitted and not even given an opportunity to participate in the claims and objections process,” it alleged.
Alleging an attempt to exclude genuine hawkers, the association said, “…the most recent notification of November 2025 contains only 12 names and includes some people who have not even been surveyed.”
The association has demanded for inclusion of all the 15 vendors, who have been surveyed but are rejected wrongfully, in the claims and objections process.
The association has also sought inclusion of 14 vendors, who have been left out of the survey itself.
“Without a fair and transparent process of claims and objections, no licenses should be given out as it may enable corruption, injustice, and abuse of power,” the association emphasized.
The association informed that it had undertaken a joint inspection of a temporary alternative vending site for the vendors.
“…while the site at civil hospital is being constructed, the Association had made it clear that an MoU needs to be undertaken stating that the alternative site is a temporary measure till such time the permanent space is being made at Civil Hospital in a time bound manner. Vendors will also only move after such an MoU is executed collectively with the hawkers of the area and a proper claims and objections process has been undertaken for all genuine hawkers of the area,” it stated.
The association reiterated that there has been no discussion whatsoever regarding the issuance of the November 14 notification and no decisions to this effect in the PTVC. It stated the question arises as to how unilaterally the secretary PTVC issued such a notification containing names of persons asking them to appear before a Committee for claims and objections.
“There was no discussion regarding the setting up of such a Committee nor discussion about this process and date in the PTVC,” it added.
