ADC polls have delayed hawkers’ relocation: Paul

SHILLONG, Feb 5: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday said the upcoming elections to the KHADC and JHADC have delayed the government’s plans to relocate hawkers from Khyndai Lad.
Reacting to a query on when the relocation is likely to take place, he said, “In view of the elections to the ADCs, many of our government officials have been pressed into election duties. Also the ministers are busy with the elections, including the Deputy CM in charge of Urban Affairs whose department is directly responsible for relocation of the hawkers. Hence, it is taking more time.”
He was clear that the process was on and it was just a matter of time. “We have identified the new locations for relocation of the hawkers beginning with Khyndai Lad first,” he added.
Asserting that discussions with the hawkers were on, Lyngdoh made it clear that it would be difficult to please everyone but the government will ensure that one section of society should not stand in the way of the interest of another section.
Asked to comment on the opposition of the hawkers to the government’s relocation plan, Lyngdoh said, “The associations have already been part of the process. We have been in constant discussions with them for the past one year. It is difficult to please everybody but for us the interest of all citizens and all users of roads and footpaths are important.”
It may be noted that the government had planned to start shifting the hawkers from Khyndai Lad by February 7.