National Vendors' Day observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, January 20, 2011:
National Vendors' Day was observed today at Dharamshala in Thangal Bazar and street vendors resolved on three issues which have been presented as a memorandum to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.
The resolutions taken today by the street vendors mentioned that the government should declare the temporary market area�left vacant with the relocation of vendors to the newly opened Khairamband market recently�as protected area for the street vendors of Manipur; second, that the concerned authority must immediately issue identity cards to the street vendors; and third, to adopt the National Policy for the street vendors in Manipur.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, RK Rajendra, former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission, expressed the need to streamline and adopt policies and laws for the welfare of street vendors of the country.
Street vendors support and sustain their families; therefore a proper market space is necessary for them to trade their wares and products, unhindered by vested interests.
Women street vendors of the state who are without trading space must be rehabilitated by the government in the vacant temporary market space, said Rajendra.
The memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister seeking commitment for enacting a National Legislation for street vendors to ensure protection of their fundamental rights has been sent today.
The memorandum sought, inter alia, the intervention of the Prime Minister with regards to the contravention of the fundamental right to carry out their business and trade and the protection of the same right.
It has also sought the intervention of the Home Ministry in the protection against eviction without proper resettlement and rehabilitation, confiscation of vendors' goods, beating up of vendors by the police, bribes from vendors and arrests of vendor leaders and activists.
The intervention of the Prime Minister to make municipal governance responsive and accountable to the urban poor has also been included in the memorandum.
The memorandum was singed by Yambem Ebeni Devi, president, Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup, Kh Kunder Singh, Secretary, Friendship Centre Manipur, Ksh Tamma Devi, President, Roadside Vendors Welfare Association and L Memma Devi, President, Manipur Keithel Phambi Apunba Lup.