Shillong, Sep 30: A CAG-CRISP pilot social audit of the Khyndailad MUDA Hawkers Market has flagged gaps in vendor records, Certificate of Vending, stall allocation and livelihood support.
The findings were placed at a public hearing at Bangiya Sahitya Parishad Hall on Tuesday-Wednesday after field verification from September 25 to 29 by the facilitation team with Meghalaya Society for Social Audit & Transparency (MSSAT) support.
Over 250 hawkers attended with survey slips, CoVs and bank papers, verified by AG officials. Many turned emotional recounting repeated visits to the municipal office, two-year waits for CoVs, over 20 visits in some cases, a seven-day hunger strike, and loss of income after relocation.
The audit found vendors marked not surveyed despite documents, mismatch in names and stall numbers, and physical CoVs not tallying with official records on expiry, trade and photos. Vendors flagged no formal allotment, stalls different from what was promised, and occupation by persons other than CoV holders.
Relocation allowance of Rs 20,000 was delayed, unpaid or underpaid at Rs 6,000 to Rs 18,000. Traders also cited small stalls, poor sanitation, water, drainage, ventilation, lighting and drop in footfall and sales. The audit also questioned PTVC tenure and absence of unique vendor IDs.
The jury comprising Deputy AG Binod Bhujel, Food Safety Deputy Commissioner DBS Mukhim and Highland Post Editor Rikynti Marwein noted that municipal authorities, Urban Affairs and MUDA skipped the hearing despite invitation.
Bhujel said no response to grievances dilutes accountability and hoped government would act.
Jury recommendations will be sent to departments for follow up with final report and exit meeting.
