Proposal to ‘relocate’ hawkers draws flak

SHILLONG, June 21: The Meghalaya Progressive Hawkers & Street Vendors Association on Friday cast aspersions on Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh for reportedly misleading the people on the proposal for the relocation of hawkers.
It may be mentioned that the state government has announced plans to relocate more than 700 legitimate vendors identified within the Shillong Municipal Board.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had said that approximately 200 vendors in the Khyndai Lad area are expected to be relocated by July.
This timeline has been agreed upon by the Shillong Municipal Board, the Urban Affairs Department, and the Vendors’ Committee.
While speaking to a section of the reporters, Association secretary Shane Thabah said they were surprised by the claim of the Tourism Minister since he is not a member of the Town Vending Committee.
He further questioned when the decision was taken to relocate 20 hawkers since the discussion is still under way.
He said Lyngdoh does not have any other issues to take up other than that of the hawkers.
Meanwhile, a member of the association, Biolin Pyrtuh, said they were not aware of such a proposal as mentioned by the Tourism Minister to relocate the 200 hawkers.
She also said that they would protest any move to relocate the hawkers as stated by the Tourism Minister.