SHILLONG: After seeing the pathetic condition of Iewduh, the oldest traditional market, in the Khasi Hills, KHADC CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that the council will take all possible steps to restore the past glory of the bustling market.
Basaiawmoit was shocked to see the pathetic condition of Iewduh after he made a surprise inspection of the market to get first hand information regarding the overall condition of the commercial hub on Wednesday.
“Personally, I am deeply hurt since I had never expected that the market, with its long cherised history, would be in this pathetic condition,” Basaiawmoit told newsmen after the surprise visit.
He even remarked that the market, managed by Hima Mylliem, is no better than a dumping place.
He observed that the condition of the market did not match the tax collected from the farmers who sell their goods there.
The KHADC CEM said that the council will take all possible steps to remove the problems prevailing in the market and will seek the cooperation of the local vendors in tranforming the marketplace.
Basaiawmoit, however, express concerns about the exploition of farmers who came to sell their vegetables in the market by non-tribal businessmen.
During the inspection, the CEM inspected an area where tomato sellers assemble, who complained to him about the hardships they face as the place is full of mud and dirt, including the foul smells emanating from a few latrines of nearby shops and warehouses.
Moving on, the CEM interacted with farmers and traders who trade in various types of perishable goods.
During the interaction, the farmers raised various issues with the CEM, including the issue of being forced to pay tax of differing rates to some collectors, probably authorised by the Hima Mylliem for items they bring to the market, with no regard to the actual quantity brough to the market.
Besides the payment of tax, the farmers also revealed that the middlemen also exploit them by making a deduction of one kilogram from every 10kg of goods sold.
Basaiawmoit also expressed concern over the health of the farmers and traders in the market as they have to spend the whole day in unhygienic surroundings.
The CEM also came down heavily on the presence of liquor shops within the market.
Basaiawmoit later visited the road at Motphran under Iewduh, since vehicles parked on the PWD road were asked to pay a parking fee. According to the fee collectors, they were collecting on behalf of the Shillong Municipal Board from the vehicles, including two-wheelers parked on the road. Basaiawmoit also questioned the SMB for encroaching into the area of the council. “How can the municipal board encroach into the council’s area and collect parking fees from vehicles parking on the road here? The council will take a call on this and question the municipal board,” the CEM asserted.
Basaiawmoit said that he would soon convene a meeting of the council with the Syiem of Mylliem to discuss the problems of the vendors in Iewduh, including collection of tax and the poor condition of the market despite the huge revenues earned by Hima Mylliem from Iewduh.