By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 2: The Meghalaya and Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) on Wednesday criticised Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh for accusing the association’s leaders of “deliberately obstructing relocation efforts”.
The association slammed Lyngdoh’s comments, calling them “unsurprising but shameful”, especially considering that the minister previously held the Urban Affairs portfolio but failed to address the issue during his tenure.
The association, which ensured the central law on hawking was adopted in Meghalaya after a seven-year legal battle, is actively working to implement the law in both letter and spirit while the state government has delayed proper implementation over the past seven years and is now attempting to undermine a transparent and lawful process, it said in a statement.
The association opposed the irregular issuance of licenses, where non-genuine hawkers are granted licenses while genuine ones are being denied.
It also condemned recent illegal evictions in the Khyndai Lad area, where even hawkers with valid certificates of vending (CoV) had their goods confiscated.
The association said it would be ready to relocate even before the due date of July 22 if the process were conducted properly and if designated spaces were prepared in collaboration with the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC).
The association also refuted reports on the number of vendors surveyed and declared eligible across Shillong, calling them “false and misleading”.
It asserted that many key processes, including claims and objections, remain incomplete.
The association condemned the continued harassment in the Khyndai Lad area by Shillong Municipal Board authorities, citing illegal evictions and the use of intimidation tactics.
Meanwhile, the Urban Shopping Complex Association (USCA) expressed strong resentment on street hawkers, previously operating on the roadside areas, being notified to shift to the top floor of the MUDA premises.
It claimed that the authorities asked the hawkers to relocate to the ground floor of the MUDA parking space but the hawkers opted for the top floor parking space.
The association urges the MUDA authorities to revert back the decision of accommodating street hawkers on the top floor parking space and restrict them into the ground floor parking space as originally planned.