‘Selection of border haat vendors flouted rules’

SHILLONG: The Citizens Foundation for Human Development (CFHD) has alleged that guidelines of the Border Haat Management Committee were violated during the selection of vendors and vendees for these rural markets in the last few years.
CFHD president Banshai Marbaniang has sent a petition to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, PS Dkhar, on Friday on receiving information about the selection this month.
According to the organisation, there should be a background check for vendors and vendees to ensure impartiality as well as to identify genuine locals and curb benami vendors in the haats.
Further, the organisation stated that the number of vendors should be regulated at exactly 25 and not more as had happened in the previous years.
CFHD also demanded that all selected vendees should display their names, photos and vending licences at their respective stalls to ensure genuine residents the area are given on opportunity to trade their wares. Those visiting the haats “should be given adequate parking space and there should be clarity on collection of parking fees at the beginning”, the organisation said.