EMC RO conned women vendors?
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 25 2019:
Khwairakpam Keithel Street Vendor Welfare Union, Temporary Market has alleged that its members/women vendors have been provided 'fake' vendor cards.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today Laitonjam Beda, president of the union, said that the vendors were introduced to one Oinam Milan, chairman of Kangleipak Apunba Sintha Lip (KASIL) by the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) RO Ksh Gyanendra when they visited the later for vendor cards.
Ksh Gyanendra advised them to discuss the matter with Oinam Milan and follow his instructions for procuring the cards.
Milan in 'collusion' with Gyanendra 'took' Rs 30,000 per card from a total of 330 vendors and afterwards they were provided 'fake cards -littering cards', alleged the president of the union.
The money was taken in June, 2018 on pretext of providing vendor cards, alleged the union.
The women further alleged that they were told to use the littering cards for a period of six months.
"We were told use the littering cards for a period of six months, saying that vendor cards can be availed only after holding the littering cards for the said period," said Beda and alleged that the littering cards turn out to be 'fake' also.
The cards bear seal and sign of RO IMC Ksh Gyanendra, she claimed.
As Milan was introduced to them by the RO, the women vendors believed him and even gave him the tax money to be deposited at IMC, she claimed.
After words of the fake cards/littering cards reached the vendors, they went to the IMC themselves for paying taxes.
At the IMC, they were told that the cards were not valid and IMC had never issued such cards, she alleged.
Ruling and Opposition authority/members of the IMC confirmed that the cards were fake, she said.
Denouncing the action of the RO of IMC for 'scamrning' the vendors, she appealed authorities concerned to take befitting action against the those involved.