By Our Reporter
Shillong, Nov 28: The long-drawn issue of relocation of hawkers and mobile vendors in Khyndai Lad remains unresolved even as the relocation exercise, underway for over two years, continues.
Earlier this year, a large number of hawkers operating in Khyndai Lad were shifted to the MUDA multi-level parking lot. Each hawker who agreed to move was paid Rs 20,000 as rehabilitation assistance by the government.
However, a fresh controversy has emerged over mobile street vendors who do not set up fixed stalls but carry their goods and sell across the Khyndai Lad stretch.
Chaos erupted on Thursday afternoon when the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) reportedly seized merchandise belonging to several mobile vendors in Khyndai Lad. By Friday evening, however, many of these vendors were back, conducting business as usual in the same area.
The seizure of goods drew sharp criticism from Voice of the People Party (VPP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, who accused the NPP-led MDA Government of acting harshly against women vendors struggling to earn a livelihood.
Sources said 405 vendors have so far been allotted stalls in the MUDA parking lot. Initially, 298 vendors were accommodated, and additional allotments were made later after verification.
Interestingly, many of the mobile vendors who protested the seizures are reportedly from GS Road and not from Khyndai Lad.
While the relocation process is still incomplete at Khyndai Lad, the government has begun preparations to shift vendors occupying the footpath outside Shillong Civil Hospital. New stalls are being constructed for them at the nearby PWD Complex.
In Laitumkhrah, the Shillong Municipal Board recently informed the High Court of Meghalaya that the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) has identified three designated vending zones. The board also stated that issuance of Certificates of Vending and relocation of eligible vendors from Khyndai Lad has been completed.
A number of stalls have also been built in the municipal parking lot opposite the SBI Main Branch, but these are yet to be allotted to hawkers.
