Shillong, Jul 24: The process of shifting the hawkers from Khyndailad to the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) parking lot is irregular and a shambles, vendors have alleged.
Hawkers who have not received a Certificate of Vending (CoV) claimed that many such certificates have been awarded to shopkeepers while genuine hawkers have been deprived.
Many of those who did not get a CoV were seen carrying placards in protest at the MUDA parking lot today.
“An individual who owns a shop was issued a licence (to hawk). Where did he get it from…did he buy it?” Biolin Pyrtuh, president of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA), asked.
The MGSPHSVA president also said that the association is not happy at the situation where some have got the CoV while others have been deprived.
“It is their right to get the CoV and according to officials the second list will be out soon. We expect that in this next list those who have been left out their names will be included,” Pyrtuh said.
Expressing concern over those who are yet to be issued with the CoV, she said that authorities are not allowing them to continue with their business in the street but, on the other hand, there is not enough space at the MUDA parking lot.
Pyrtuh said that even those hawkers who have been surveyed by the government and who had their documents in order are yet to receive the CoV.
Meanwhile a woman vendor alleged that initially she was issued with a CoV but the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) asked her to return it due to some discrepancies.
The hawkers’ association has also expressed concern over the delay in convening of the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) by the state government where all the grievances should be ironed out.
