"No law to protect us": Khwairamband vendors
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 12 2023:
Although there is a bye-law to protect the shops around Khwairamband Keithel, there is no law in place to protect the vendors of Ima Market, making it seems as if there is no issue in allowing the market to die, Working Committee Khwairamband Keithel convenor Asem Nirmala has remarked.
Addressing a press meet held at Khwairamband Keithel No 2 on Wednesday afternoon, Nirmala recounted that after receiving reports of dip in sale of i-yong cloths in Khwairamband market, an investigation was carried out which found that shops run by non-Manipuri were buying the i-yong cloths and reselling them.
As such, the Committee visited the shops on April 8 and found the shops selling the same.
When enquired how they were allowed to sell the cloths and urged to wrap up everything, the shopkeepers produced licenses given by IMC.
On Tuesday, the vendors met the authority concerned of IMC and found that as per the IMC's bye-laws, shop can sell any products they want and the Corporation can do nothing on the matter.
The only action that IMC can take is the cancellation of the name 'Fanek House' from the shops.
The vendors continued to probe about the bye-laws and found 27 provisions mentioned under Section 209 of Imphal Municipal Act, 1994, she added.
"The provisions include IMC's powers of inspection of the markets, regulation and fixing of market prices, safety licences with regard to health concerns over sale of meat, cancellation or revival of licenses," she conveyed.
However, if the licenses given to the shops are as per the law, then it is simply putting the local market to death and risking the livelihood of many people, who are the sole breadwinners of their families.
Thus, Nirmala suggested to the state government to compare the lives of those dependent on the market with those employed by it (government) and help revive the market to its former glory.