Jaintia Traders’ Association call for slash in permit rates

JOWAI: Local traders in Iawmusiang- Iawtymme, Jowai under the banner of Jaintia Tribal Traders’ Association (JTTA) have demanded that the rate of permits issued to traders be reduced from Rs. 900 to Rs.550 which was hiked last year by the Thombor Shiwat led executive committee of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
The rate of permits issued to local traders trading in the open stalls was hiked from Rs. 450 to Rs. 900 which is, as per traders, a 100 percent hike.
Earlier, JTTA held a meeting with all traders at Iaw Thymme- the temporary market constructed by JHADC as the permanent market is under construction. In the meeting, JTTA and local traders decided to march to JHADC office to register their demand.
During the meeting, the CEM informed JTTA members that the matter was placed in the executive committee meeting and the decision to continue with the hike was made.
However, after futile discussions, JHADC chief decided to take the matter once again with the EC.
The JTTA has also requested all traders not to renew their permits until further notice.