Candid Governor strikes a chord with women vendors
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2014: Governor VK Duggal assured women vendors in the three market complexes of Khwairamband Keithel all possible measures at the earliest to ensure that the women sustain their livelihood earning chores in a more comfortable manner.

The Governor gave the assurances while interacting with various women vendors during an inspection visit to the historic market place today.

along with inquiring inconveniences faced by the women vendors in plying their trades, VK Duggal even tasted a fried fish from one of the hotels run inside the market complex with the vendors presenting gifts from a locally made cloth and pots in appreciation of his candidness as well as for understanding their plight.

Governor interacting with various women vendors at Khwairamband Keithel

To queries from the Governor on their daily sale proceeds, whether the earning is enough to maintain their families, what their spouse and children do, whether they face any difficulties, etc., the women vendors highlighted some of the problems hampering smooth trading in the market place.

In response many of the women vendors said their daily earning is sufficient to atleast ensure two square meals a day and meeting some minor family expenditures.

While one of the women vendors proposed replacement of defective power bulbs with the explanation that lack of light had been deterring potential buyers, some others suggested that barricades including railings be removed for convenient entry and exit of customers.

Leakage of water from the ceiling of the market building during rainy seasons was also highlighted to the Governor, who then advised officials accompanying him to replace the defective bulbs within 10 days, initiate necessary measures for repairing the leaking ceiling at a convenient time and assured the women traders that department experts would be consulted to make market entry points customer friendly.

On other issues besetting the market places, Duggal said department concerned would be intimated to place sun shades where necessary and keep the toilets in a hygienic manner.

the women vendors also suggested that banking facility be opened in the three market complexes.

Art and Culture Commissioner Dr RK Nimai Singh, Director (Mahud) N Gitkumar and Imphal Municipal Council Chairperson A Nimai Sharma accompanied the Governor.