Street vendors to approach court over temporary market
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 20 2021: Expressing disappointment over the response given by Imphal Municpal Corporation (IMC) with regard to the ownership of the temporary market in Khwairamband market; Khwairamband Keithel Street Vendors' Welfare Union president L Beda said that the street vendors have been left with no choice but to approach the Court to safeguard their rights.

Addressing a press meet held at Manipur Press Club here Saturday, Beda recounted that the street vendors were officially recognised by IMC in 2006 and since then, they have been paying taxes of Rs 20 each per week to IMC.

The Union became a registered body in 2007 and in 2018, IMC issued cards to around 330 street vendors, following which the vendors had to pay a tax of Rs 300 each per month.

The RO and mayor of IMC assured the vendors that the cards werevalid, she recalled.

However, the state went into lockdown for a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During this period, a market was built in the temporary market area.

When IMC was enquired to whom the market will be handed over to, the Corporation responded that it did not have the documents and had no knowledge of the same, she added.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the IMC' s reply, Beda said that it is simply a move to rob the street vendors of their rights.

Thus, the street vendors have to approach the court to ensure their rights are protected, she contended, while stating that there is no misunderstanding or dispute amongst the street vendors.

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