By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 22: Cabinet Minister and East Shillong MLA, Ampareen Lyngdoh has made it clear that no drama will unfold in Laitumkhrah whenever hawkers in the area are relocated.
The Meghalaya government has set a target to relocate hawkers running businesses in Laitumkhrah, Civil Hospital and Motphran by November this year.
Speaking on the announcement, Lyngdoh on Friday promised there will be no drama during the relocation. “I understand, feelings will go out of hand but hurting someone and taking out weapons will not happen on my turf,” she said.
Pointing out that the government has a plan of action to relocate the hawkers, Lyngdoh admitted that the issue was complex but made it clear that the government has to be cautious in its method to deal with problems related to livelihood.
She sought public cooperation for the relocation, asserting that the government will be sympathetic to the extent possible.
Irregularities in
allocation of CoVs
The Meghalaya Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors’ Association (MGSPH&SVA) has accused large-scale irregularities in the allocation of certificates of vending (CoVs) to roadside vendors in the Khyndai Lad area.
Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) leader Angela Rangad on Friday raised concerns about the distribution of CoVs, claiming that genuine hawkers have been left out and undeserving individuals have received certificates through fraudulent means.
She argued that the current hearings were held after persistent pressure from the association, and that the subcommittee tasked with reviewing claims was not constituted fairly.
Rangad argued that at least three representatives from each hawkers’ association should have been included to ensure proper identification and verification.
One main point of contention was the publication of the list of vendors eligible to submit claims. The list appeared in newspapers on August 15, which was a public holiday, making it difficult to access the information.
Rangad claimed that many of the individuals now in line for CoVs are unknown to genuine hawkers and have never been seen operating in the market. She also raised concerns about space constraints, as the MUDA complex is already overcrowded, exceeding the original plan approved by the Provisional Town Vending Committee.
Rangad alleged favouritism, stating that entire families of hawkers’ association leaders had received certificates, while many rightful vendors were left out. The Shillong Municipal Board is reportedly making personal calls to certain individuals, asking them to appear again, some of whom weren’t even part of the original 1,400 surveyed or quick resurvey.
The entire process lacks transparency and fairness, Rangad said, questioning how authorities will manage larger zones where vending claims haven’t even been assessed yet.