Smit market which is around 20 km from Shillong wears a deserted look ever since, the commercial vehicles of the State went on an indefinite strike from February 3.
The market in Smit caters mostly to villagers of Nongkrem, Mawkynrew and Mawryngkneng constituencies.
However, currently, with the indefinite strike still on, no vehicles either carrying people or produce could reach the market.
A woman selling fruits in Smit market said that shopkeepers in the market have been facing difficulties since the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have been getting less goods due to the lack of vehicles. Now we are somehow managing,” she said.
Another fruit vendor in Smit market said that business has seen a drop since people from adjoin areas that are reliant on it are not able to come.
Urging the government to lower the prices of diesel and petrol she said that this is having an effect on the economic activities of the people in the area in particular and the State in general.
Stating that her business has seeing a slump she added, “Earlier we used to buy rice in packets but now we have to buy it in kilos.”
Wanphrangstar Suting, who owns a wholesale shop and also sell goods in retail in Smit market said that ever since the indefinite strike was called people from places like Mawkynrew have stopped visiting it since there are no vehicles to ferry them.
He said that the rise in prices of fuel not only affects the taxi drivers but also traders and consumers.
“The villagers had to shell out huge amounts due to the rise in prices of petrol. Therefore we urge the State to hear us since it is a government for us and by us,” Suting said even as he added that the demand was not something that can not be done but it was within the capacity of the government.
Pynshongdor L. Nongbri, the secretary of Smit said that around 50 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the country comes from the unorganised sector.
“When we say unorganized sector it is these small businesses which are not in the book of accounts of the government of India,” he said.
He also said that the government is squeezing not only the taxi drivers but also the ones dependent for their services by hiking the prices of petrol and diesel.
“If the taxis stop operating it means people going to work in Shillong or those small time traders and other daily wagers cannot go to their places of work,” Nongbri said.
He said that with the taxis on an indefinite strike, this has a ‘negative multiplier effect’ because this has a chain reaction on other activities.
