SHILLONG: Vegetable vendors, especially in the city, are witnessing lukewarm business even as they are refraining from hiking prices.
Several vendors at Laban Red Cross on Tuesday said they had not raised prices because “we feel bad for those who cannot afford”.
Kleobar Girod, an areca nut cultivator from Thyllaw in Mawsynram, said the earning was poor. Another areca nut and betel leaf seller, Angela Kharnaiong, had come all the way from Dawki with the produce from her garden. She too complained about the drop in sales.
“Earlier, I sold the produce in Bara Bazar, which is closed now. So I am sitting here (Red Cross) but sales are not up to my expectation,” she said.
A Lyngdoh, a vegetable seller sitting nearby, told The Shillong Times that business on Monday, the first day of curfew relaxation this week, was good but Tuesday saw tepid sales. She was selling fresh peas, coriander and mustard leaves from her garden.
Tweltimon Shadap, another vegetable vendor from Ksehpongdeng in Mawryngkneng Block, said she was selling vegetables of the farmers in her village.
“I get some commission depending on how well I earn in a day. If the day’s earnings are well, then I can get some taxi fare and other necessities. If not, then it gets difficult to eke out a living,” she said.
Meanwhile, with many farmers lining up at Lad Smit selling their produce and people queuing up to buy from Smit market, the Syiem of Hima Khyrim Balajied Sing Syiem said the Sordar Shnong looks into the matters concerning the markets.
“The market is usually held once in a week and is currently closed. I saw the press statement that rural markets will be held again,” he said.
With regard to assistance to the poor, he said there are volunteers who will help the poorest of the poor.
