Shillong: Bah Paul Lyngdoh, EM Incharge Trade, today express dismay over the protest by hawkers yesterday under the banner Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progresive Hawker & Street Vendors Association.
He said, “Even if there some issues, it is incumbent that the same be presented with decorum and respect to the Council. The hawkers leaders are educated and know that fully well, but the way they bang in yesterday is not acceptable at all”.
The EM further said that two among the five who submitted memorandum were the ones already fined by the High Court. The Court questioned them for petitioning against the Order which does not have anything to do with them. That in itself smells fishy of their motif. Bah Paul Lyngdoh also clarifies that there is no connection between the High Court Order referred to by the hawkers with the Order of the KHADC.
In relation to the second point of their demand, he said the KHADC will respect the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act 2014 passed by the Assembly in 2014. The Act says that non-tribals desiring to conduct trade activities must meet the requirements of the KHADC.
The third point of demand is to withdraw the Order and the issuance of forms. In fact, the move of the Council is the most suitable for all parties. It will benefit the local hawkers thwart any benami attempts. It will also ensure them a space of their own when the government is ready for space allocation in the near future.
What irked the EM is their fourth point of demand which concerns over the trading license to non-tribals. He questions as to where is the link between the local vendors with the Council’s issuance of trading license?
Bah Paul made it clear that the KHADC will move ahead with the implementation of the Order and urged all local vendors not to be misled whatsoever but come forward to register themselves for their own benefits.
Join the Dicsussion