By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 23: The state government on Thursday disclosed that vendors were coming forward voluntarily to register themselves and to stake claim over the space that the government is providing them as part of their relocation from Khyndai Lad. The government is taking precautions to ensure that only genuine residents of Meghalaya are registered and are entitled to the new vending space inside the MUDA shopping complex.
Revealing the details, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said that once the vendors are relocated, they will have access to better facilities under one roof to be provided by the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority. Facilities including washroom and water will be made accessible to them which they are lacking at the moment, he said.
On reports of some hawkers expressing ignorance about the government’s relocation move, Lyngdoh said, “The entire process started with the active support of these vendor groups and due diligence was done. They had voluntarily agreed to register themselves and stake claims to the spaces that the government is providing them.”
“As many as 200 hawkers will be rehabilitated; so I don’t see any problem. One or two might have an issue but also bear in mind that Shillong badly needs space for pedestrians,” he added.
He also pointed out that care is being taken so that genuine residents of Meghalaya are entitled to these facilities. “So, people who have no substantial claim will certainly crib about it,” he stated.
“Please understand that since Khyndai Lad is outside the purview of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council anybody is free to engage in any kind of trade without any licence. This makes the place vulnerable because a lot of crime takes place when unidentified and unauthorised persons conduct trade,” he added.
Lyngdoh also stated that when tourists visit the state, Khyndai Lad is on top of their destination. “When you welcome them to the music capital of the country you would like to hear sounds of music and not voices of people haggling on the streets,” he said.
“I think musicians will sound better and that will elevate Shillong to a different level. People who are curious to know why Shillong is the music capital will readily know the answer once they stroll around Khyndai Lad,” Lyngdoh added.