Govt aborts market construction plan
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 24 2016:
Backing down from its stance, the State Government has aborted its initiative to construct temporary market sheds on Thangal Bazar road and it has adopted a fresh decision to construct temporary market sheds at Hao Keithel and at the parking space of the temporary market.
The Government's sudden change of mind was informed by its spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro during a press meet at his Secretariat office this afternoon.
The Government started construction of temporary market sheds on Thangal Bazar road to provide temporary vending space to vendors of New Market and Lakshmi Market which were damaged by the devastating earthquake of January 4.But the same initiative faced stiff opposition from different quarters including Thangmeiband A/C MLA Kh Joykishan.
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The State Government has come to an understanding with street vendors occupying the existing temporary market on construction of temporary market sheds which can accommodate around 1000 vendors at the adjacent parking space, Okendro stated.
In addition, another temporary market which can accommodate 400 other vendors would be constructed at Hao Keithel in front of Family Welfare office.
400 other vendors would be accommodated on the first floor of Purana Market.
Informing that maximum efforts would be invested to complete construction of the temporary market sheds within 15 days, Okendro stated that the Government welcomes all the suggestions and opinions given by the public and political parties regarding construction of temporary market sheds.
The issue does not merit any meeting of all political parties.
Nonetheless, an all party delegation may go to Delhi to seek adequate fund for re-construction and rehabilitation of the damages/casualties caused by the earthquake.
The Government would also constitute a committee to reserve a specific vending zone for street vendors, Okendro added.
Meanwhile, the Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham and Saktam Kanba Lup has urged State Government to take a concrete decision and finalise a spot for rehabilitation of the vendors of Ima markets whose markets were damaged by the January 4 earthquake.
The Lup's president Thoudam (O) Shanti Devi, in a press meet held at Khwairamband market today said they will shift back to the damaged Ima markets if the State Goverment fails to settle on a spot before the end of January.
The State Government shall be held responsible for any untoward incident that may happen due to non-rehabilitation of the vendors at a suitable place, Shanti stated.