SHILLONG: The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) along with the Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) presented a detailed vending plan in a meeting with state officials on Friday.
The plan is based on the Central Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and stated the way to calculate number of hawkers that Shillong can accommodate, ways to designate vending zones, time schedule for vending, chaotic parking and cleanliness of the city, among other things.
The association also submitted the names of MGSPHSVA members who are genuine hawkers. “This list, which can be used for creating a baseline data of old established genuine hawkers with EPIC cards, will ensure that the survey that takes place will be authentic,” the memorandum stated.
The meeting resolved to implement the vending plan on a pilot basis and in a time-bound manner. “The government acknowledged that with a legal regulatory framework and participation of the hawkers union and other stakeholders it is possible to create a fair system of regulation of street vendors, which not only protects livelihood but also creates a people’s city that will have public spaces for the abled and disabled alike, where artists, musicians and culture can also be shared, and a city that defines itself in a humane way and that is people centric rather than vehicle focused,” a statement issued by MGSPHSVA said.
MGSPHSVA, which is the largest registered organisation of Hawkers and Street Vendors of Meghalaya, also invited innovative suggestions from citizens as per provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.
The suggestions can be emailed to meghalayahawkers @gmail.com or call conveyed on 9863097754 /9863061770.
Director of Urban Affairs E Kharmalki and the Shillong Municipal Board CEO, among others, were present at the meeting.
The association was engaged in a consultative process with the government to protect livelihood of street vendors and regulate vending.
