By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The FKJGP on Tuesday opposed the decision of the Government to shift the new market complex at Polo to the New Shillong Township (NST) following a litigation filed by a group of businessmen.
“We are shocked by the decision (to shift the market complex) which clearly reflects that the Government is not bothered about the small time local businessmen who make a living from this market,” FKJGP president Joe Marwein said in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
Recalling that the FKJGP had asked the owner of Hotel Polo Towers, Raj Kumar Sharma and 24 others who filed the litigation stalling the construction of the new market complex at Polo, to withdraw the case, Marwein asserted that the Federation would not allow the Government to shift the project to NST.
While pointing out that many people are directly or indirectly employed through the market, Marwein said the new market complex would help generate more employment opportunities for the local unemployed youth.
“It would also help to enhance the income generation of the small time local businessmen,” Marwein said while adding that it was sad to see the Government acting at the behest of the ‘big businessmen’.
Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek assured that he would personally take up the matter with the Government and Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh to ensure that the market complex is not shifted.
“The polo market is one of the main markets in the city as it connects with various other localities which are dependent on it. The development of this market would not only beautify the whole area but lift the economic activities here,” Hek said.
The Government had decided to shift the proposed market to the New Shillong Township (NST) after the Centre had called for surrendering the money allotted for the project.