SHILLONG: The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association has lashed out at the ‘nonchalant attitude’ of the elected representatives towards the plight of the vendors.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, general secretary of the association S. Thabah said, “The representatives do not want to work for our welfare. Although the Urban Affairs Minister was apprised of the situation a couple of times, no action has been taken so far.”
Thabah further claimed that women constitute around 70 per cent of the vendors and hawkers and the eviction drive tantamounts to harassment of women.
He reiterated their demand for implementing the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. “There are anomalies in the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.”
Replying to a query on the contentious issue of congestion and of an unclean city, Thabah said, “After our work is done, we urge the vendors to clean the places. Even high-end shops throw garbage indiscriminately.”
“We are not against pedestrians. It is the rich people who are voicing their opposition against us. Usually, the poor get their things from us unlike the rich who get their commodities from big departmental stores,” he claimed.
It may be recalled that the High Court of Meghalaya has asked the Chief Secretary to appoint a nodal officer to ensure status quo on the matter related to hawkers as ordered earlier by the Court. The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit a comprehensive report to the Court before the next date of hearing on February 10.
Meanwhile, an official of the Shillong Municipal Board said that over 200 forms have been distributed to the hawkers.
When asked about the collection of garbage in evenings, the official said, “The collection is going on, though there may be shortfalls.”
