Shillong, Nov 18: The Sub-committee on Shillong vendors for the Laitumkhrah area held a joint inspection today of the area where the vendors along the main road from Police Point to Beat House could be shifted to.
The area identified for them is along the side of the road running between the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Madan Iewrynghep, Fire Brigade.
The Magistrate and in charge of the Zonal Task Force for Laitumkhrah area, Silvester Phanbuh from the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office said that the plan is that road would be freed of occupants on the side of the Adventist Church and vendors from the Laitumkhrah main road would be housed along the other side.
The representatives of the Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association and vendors from Laitumkhrah were however non-committal as they said they will have to discuss this with their members.
Not only that, the school in the neighbourhood has written many letters over the year to the police and other authorities to clear that road of vendors as the crowded place pose security concerns for the young students who have to use that road.
The authorities had earlier decided that a 15 meter long area between two existing poles in the area in front of the Regetta Stores will be designated as the loading and unloading space for the permanent shops along the Main Road. It will be permanently cordoned off. The vegetable stalls that were there would be accommodated for the time being by squeezing them in between their remaining colleagues.
It was pointed out by the government officials that according to the rules, each vendor is entitled to a space of 4 by 6 feet. Individual vegetable vendors in that area have occupied far more space than that entitlement and that once they reduce down to their entitled space, there will be enough room for the four to be moved out from the space now designated as loading and unloading area.
When asked about the role of the Dorbar Shnong, the headman of Laitumkhrah Andrew A Jyrwa told Highland Post that the Dorbar Shnong was very aware of its responsibility to find the fine balance between the livelihood rights of the vendors, the concerns of the pedestrians, traffic congestion issues and the general well-being of the traders, residents and hawker/vendors. “We are doing our best and will see that no one is treated unfairly,” he said, adding, “All whose names are on the list will be accommodated.”
The list is therefore of utmost importance for the vendors.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court in August last had ordered the Government to undertake a survey of all the vendors in Laitumkhrah. That survey was conducted by the Shillong Municipal Board, and it remains to be seen whether that list is a reflection of the number of vendors on the street. It remains to be verified and confirmed by the Street Vendors association.
The Sub-Committee included Phanbuh, Jyrwa and P S Nongkynrih, also the Rangbah Shnong of Laitumkhrah locality, F Nongkhlaw, official from the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Shane Thabah, T Kharshiing and Angela Rangad representing the hawkers and street vendors association.
Till date the Police Bazaar has been declared a vending free zone with the vendors allotted space at the MUDA parking lot. Many vendors claimed that they are still yet to be allotted space and disputes continue about the legitimacy of the “list” wielded by the government.
