The process of allotting stalls at the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) parking lot for street vendors of Khyndailad began today, though a section of the hawkers objected to the government’s methods.
Today afternoon the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) began allotting stalls to hawkers who have been issued Certificates of Vending (CoV) through the drawing of lots, much to the chagrin of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA).
MGSPHSVA adviser Angela Rangad said that there has not been a Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) meeting after June 23, even as she questioned who made this decision to allot stalls through lots. The PTVC is necessary, she maintained, to decide on the process to allot the stalls.
Rangad also said that such a lottery is not reliable and has created difficulties for hawkers selling kwai and fruits and is an infringement on their rights.
Rangad was seen arguing with the CEO of the SMB and praised the hawkers for being calm and organised in a way that allowed the survey of street vendors to be carried out. If it were left to the government, she added, it would have been incompetent, non-transparent and autocratic.
She was also seen arguing with employees of the SMB when she wanted to check the stall numbers. However, later on the process went ahead with many vendors queuing up to get their stall numbers through the lottery system.
Rangad also alleged that the government authorities are taking advantage of the High Court order to bring about confusion. According to her, the court ordered only to verify the list of eligible vendors and not conduct the allocation of stalls this way.
