The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) has sought the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills to permit them to resume their businesses.
“We are facing difficulty because we have to repay the debts taken for the purchase of all the materials, repayment of loans every month, including house rent, school fees, etc pending since last year because of all the restrictions and the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state,” Shane Thabah, general secretary of the association, said.
Stating that in the government order issued on April 26 it was clearly stated that domestic workers and labourers are exempted from the restriction to work, he said that that hawkers and street vendors also fall under the same category and should be allowed to run their businesses on the odd-even basis in areas including Motphran, GS Road and Khyndailad.
“Our colleagues from the outskirts and distant places who cannot make it to Kyndailad or Iewduh owing to the scarcity of vehicles should be allowed to run their businesses in their respective localities, which will also help decongest the city,” he said adding that the DC should instruct the Dorbar Shnongs so that the hawkers will not be deprived of their rights to earn their livelihood in their own neighbourhoods.
“We also urged the government to provide us with rations and essential commodities like last year if the semi-lockdown persists,” he added.
