Whip cracked against footpath encroachers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 24 2017:
Shopkeepers and vendors who sell things or who put up their selling items on footpaths will now be penalised with fines and even ordered to close shops according to the laws of the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC), MAHUD Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar said.
Th Shyamkumar said this while speaking to media persons after inspecting Khwairamband Keithel today.
During the inspection, the MAHUD Minister checked the licenses of those who had encroached on the footpaths to sell things or open kiosks in some areas of Thangal Keithel and Paona Keithel.
Th Shyamkumar also informed that nobody can vend or open a kiosk without a license.
He appealed to the shopkeepers, street vendors and kiosk-owners to use waste bins and keep their surroundings clean.
If there is no collective effort, he said, it will be of little help even if sweepers and cleaners carry out their daily duties.
The Minister added that action will be taken up to keep the footpaths open for pedestrians without further warning with the imposition of rules and regulations as laid out by the IMC.
He said the restriction will be stricter on those who sell betel leaves as they are primarily responsible for polluting Nambul River which flows into Loktak Lake.
The present drive will be extended to other municipal councils and city councils soon, Th Shyamkumar said.