Traders fined, IMC plans cleanliness drive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 04 2013:
Along with announcing awareness programme cum social service camp at Khwairamband Keithel, Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) personnel today rounded up 10 betel leaf traders and imposed monetary fines for random disposal of wastes at the market place.
All of them would be let off after a stern warning that further offences will entail harsher punishment, said IMC's Sanitary in-charge and Ward No.21 Councillor Umesh adding that monetary penalties would be imposed against the careless traders.
Informing that despite earlier intimations to dispose wastes at designated spots (dustbins) the traders were spotted by IMC personnel littering the market place with rotten betel leaves drive at New Market area, the Councillor said today's drive is a specific campaign by the IMC to keep commercial areas in a spic-and-span manner.
Holding betel traders responsible for littering New Market, Nagamapal and Temporary Market complex areas, he cautioned that IMC personnel would maintain vigil in the market place to check random disposal of wastes.
Asserting that first and second time offences would entail warning with Rs 300 fine, Umesh warned that third time offenders would be prohibited from continuing trade activities in the market.
Meanwhile, IMC chairperson A Nimai told media persons at a news conference held at its office that an awareness programme cum social service camp would be conducted on July 7 from 7 am.
Conveying that the upcoming campaign is a joint initiative of IMC, Kangla Face book Group and Blooming Manipur, the Chairperson said a blood donation programme would also be organised at Ima Keithel.
While stating that the upcoming awareness campaign is not only to encourage the traders maintain cleanliness in the commercial areas but also galvanise support of the traders in IMC's endeavour to face-lift the capital city, Nimai also said IMC is fully aware of residents as well as tenants residing in the market areas stealthily throwing wastes, especially after dusk.
Reminding that IMC had already put into service waste collection vehicles under the objective of cleaning up Imphal, he called up the market-place residents to bring out their wastes in the morning and evening hours.
On the otherhand, Councillor Umesh said discussions in phased manner are underway with women vendors of Ima Keithel on the need to maintain decorum at the historic market place.
Referring to newspaper reports about cleanliness in market places of Tripura State capital and activities of Agartala municipal authorities, he said an IMC delegation recent visited Agartala and found the cleanliness factor praiseworthy.
Nevertheless, Agartala was found to have more manpower and machinery compared to IMC for no less than 82 vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and cycles to access congested location, were at the disposal of Agartala municipal authorities under whom over 400 personnel are also employed or engaged, he said.
For IMC there are only 16 vehicles and 60 personnel contrary to imphal city being comparatively larger than Agartala, Umesh stated opining that increase in manpower and machinery would enable IMC to function effectively.
Representatives of Blooming Manipur and kangla Facebook Group were also present at the media briefing.