SHILLONG: The Opposition Chief Whip and Congress MLA PT Sawkmie has urged the state government to allow 30-33 per cent of hawkers to restart their business in Motphran, Khyndai Lad and other areas.
Speaking at a gathering on Monday to distribute essential commodities to the needy families, including hawkers in Mawlai Kynton Massar, he said the vendors who are residents of Mawlai have complained to him that he should speak to the government on their behalf as they are struggling to eke out a living.
“If the government can allow Iewduh to open with restrictions, hawking with protocols can also be allowed”, Sawkmie said.
The livelihood of hawkers and street vendors has been at stake because of the lockdown.
After the government provided some relief to traders in Iewduh by allowing shops to reopen, although partially, the hawkers wanted similar concession.
The Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers & Street Vendors Association along with Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) had asked the government to immediately implement the central law on hawking and street vending.
The organisations had also met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong with a plea to lift the ban on hawking.
The traditional heads in-charge of Motphran did not allow hawkers to spread merchandise on the ground but the hawkers are to carry their items around.
Export disrupted: min
Meanwhile, agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh on Monday said that export of agricultural produce to Bangladesh was going on very well until the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “The exports began last year and it came as a blessing to the people, but it was discontinued due to the lockdown”.
With proper understanding most of the agricultural produce can be exported to Banglades, he added.
“Last year, tomatoes, ginger, broomstick were mostly in demand. Had it not been for COVID-19, exports would have been an advantage for young entrepreneurs”, he said.
Agricultural produce from Mawkynrew, Smit, Mawryngkneng, Jaintia Hills are being exported to Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Lyngdoh said that the government will try to come up with regulated markets for vegetables and livestock.
“We will look at what needs to be done so that the people can benefit”, he said.