Shillong, July 16: Leader of the Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) Angela Rangad has urged the state government to revise the deadline set for relocation of hawkers to their designated vending zone at MUDA parking lot by July 22.
According to Rangad, the deadline was never agreed by Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) since the process is yet to be completed.
On behalf of Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) after attending a meeting convened by the High Court’s special officer on the issue, Rangad said, “We question the deadline set to relocate to the identified vending zone at MUDA parking lot by July 22.”
She said any decision on hawkers should have come out from the PTVC.
She also criticised the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB)’s action to confiscate hawkers’ goods, stating the action was unfair given that the process of issuing Certificates of Vending (CoVs) is under way.
Rangad said she had highlighted different figures of number of hawkers quoted by different authorities in the meeting with the district administration.
Meanwhile, the government is yet to make public the list of hawkers, which is necessary livelihood claims, she said.
“I have seen recently many lists on the number of hawkers in different places. They even claimed that there are no vendors in Ward’s Lake but which you and me know there are. Therefore, we will not accept such lists while the claims and objections are still going on,” Rangad said.
Meanwhile, the district administration has decided to start checking of CoVs at Khyndailad from Monday next, she said.
“We have decided to cooperate during the checking,” she added.
She alleged that many genuine hawkers are yet to receive their CoVs despite participating in a survey held for the purpose.
The TUR leader questioned the SMB’s decision to issue CoVs to some shop owners and urged the SMB office not to bypass PTVC and hawkers’ association.
