Women vendors seek attention for reviving Ima Keithel
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 15 2021:
Even though the government has allowed reopening of the women's markets of Khwairamband Keithel after a long period of closure due to Covid-19 pandemic, unprecedented absence of customers is affecting the trading activities in the market, which is considered as one of the main backbones for the state's socio-economic development, Expressing concern over the situation, women vendors of the market complexes drew attention of the state government for taking up necessary measures so as to revive the trade hub.
Interacting with The People's Chronicle, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinfam Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup general secretary Thingujam Rani said that Covid-19 pandemic has affected the women vendors largely.
The all-woman markets remained closed for a long time since the first wave of the pandemic.
There are reports of at least 22 women vendors falling victims to Covid-19 and the number could be higher as collecting extensive information is not possible in the present situation.
In the new normal brought by the pandemic, several existing and new women vendors are running vendors in their respective localities and as a result, the Khwairamband Keithel is experiencing low customer footfalls.
Even though the market complexes have reopened, it is functioning just for the namesake only wjth very few customers visiting the market.
At the same time, several vendors possessing trade license are opening their trade on the roadside as it is more convenient for the buyers and it also contributes to the failing trade in the market complexes, she said.
There are around 3700 licensed women vendors in the three women market complexes.
Though the government issued instruction for opening the market on rotation basis, there is no need to enforce the government order since the trading activities in these complexes fail to rebound even though maximum of the restrictions have been lifted.
Unfortunately, the government is also doing nothing much to address the situation, Rani lamented.
She further said that roadside vendors were given vending space in the temporary market sheds in order to free up road space for traffic.
However, they are coming back to the roadside and yet the government is not doing anything to address the issue.
Maintaining that roadside vending also hampers trade in the market complexes, she drew attention of the government to address the situation.
She also said that allowing the vendors to continue their trade on the roadsides has rendered the construction of women market complexes meaningless.