Speaking on behalf of the MGSPHSVA, Angela Rangad warned that the hawkers will intensify their agitation if the PTVC meeting is not convened immediately.
“We demand that the PTVC sit immediately to look into the issues of those who were deprived of CoVs despite being eligible for vending in Khyndailad. On failing, we will be compelled to intensify our agitation,” she said.
“There are many hawkers who are yet to be issued with the CoVs. How can you just take away their livelihood for many weeks? How difficult is it for you to verify and ascertain that they are genuine hawkers? Therefore, there is a need to call for the PTVC meeting as the CoVs cannot just be issued by the SMB. If they call people individually to this office, tell me who will prevent them from selling the CoVs? They may even issue CoVs to people who are not deserving. Therefore, we insist that the process should go through the PTVC and that proper records be maintained, as we do not want any corruption or bias in this regard,” Rangad said.
The association demanded a review of the vending zone and the respacing of vendors who require only a little space for selling betel nuts and water.
According to Rangad, there is corruption of power and money involved in the construction of stalls and platforms for hawkers.
Rangad said the SMB’s claim of 1,400 hawkers is arbitrary, and hence the association rejected the number.
Rangad also reiterated that the PTVC meeting is necessary to ensure that the process of issuing CoVs is fair and transparent.
The hawkers have vowed to continue their sit-in demonstration until the SMB agrees to call a meeting of the PTVC.
Rangad also stated that undermining the PTVC, which is constituted by law, would leave the hawkers with no recourse.
“We will continue with our sit-in demonstration till they agree to call a meeting of the PTVC. If you undermine the body like the PTVC, which is constituted by law, then where else should we go?” she asked.
Rangad informed that the hawkers’ association had negotiated to secure the vending zone at MUDA, and the association had rejected the government’s proposal to relocate hawkers to the basement.
Angela is also not happy with the unilateral decision-making process adopted by the authorities, particularly about the design and allotment of spaces.
Rangad reminded that the association had boycotted PTVC meetings on June 9 and 23 due to anomalies in the distribution of certificates of vending (CoVs). Despite the boycott, the authorities proceeded with plans to construct stalls without consulting the hawkers’ association, leading to chaos and haphazard allotment of spaces.
The hawkers’ association had insisted on joint decision-making regarding the design and allotment of spaces. However, the authorities’ unilateral actions have resulted in a situation that is detrimental to the hawkers’ interests.
The association asked the state government not to start the process of relocating hawkers in other parts of Shillong without the approval of the PTVC.
