Will go ahead with market construction : Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2016 : The State Government has categorically stated that it will go ahead with its decision of constructing temporary market sheds along Thangal bazar road.

Briefing media persons after a high level meeting which was presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi today, Government spokesman and Education Minister M Okendro stated that construction of the temporary market shed would leave 15 feet for facilitating movement of people and vacant spaces would be left in front of shops.

He also appealed to all the people to cooperate with the Government's initiative to build temporary markets which have been necessitated after the Ima Keithels were damaged in the January 4 earthquake.

File pic of the space marked for the temporary market at Thangal bazar

A representation submitted by women vendors of Lakshmi Market and New Market to the Chief Minister demanded alternative vending spaces as soon as possible.

Notably, there are around 1872 vendor plots in the two damaged market complexes.

As demanded by the unfolding situation, the Government considered the vendors' demand actively, said Okendro.

The Government suggested construction of temporary market sheds at the vegetable market of Lamphel but the same suggestion was turned down by the vendors of Khwairamband Bazar contending that their business would not fare well at Lamphel.

Subsequently, the Government took the initiative of constructing 500 stalls each on the first storey of Purana Keithel, Thangal Bazar road and adjacent to the existing temporary market.

If there is a consensus on constructing a larger market shed adjacent to the existing temporary market, all the problems related with construction of temporary market sheds would not have arisen, Okendro remarked.

Expressing strong displeasure over the manner MLA Kh Joykishan behaved on January 16, Okendro lamented that he was not sent any query about the matter.

"Construction of temporary market shed is purely a temporary measure.

Neither any personal interest nor any angle of contract work is involved in the matter", asserted the Government spokesman.

Preliminary report of the damages done to the Ima Keithels by the earthquake has been received but the final report is still awaited, he informed.

Stating that the Chief Minister is deeply concerned with the issue, Okendro rued that the situation would not have exacerbated to such a restive level had some queries been made.

He then appealed to all the MLAs to cooperate with the Government's particular initiative.