Running of business not just to survive the lockdown, say street vendors
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 14 2020: Several street vendors are of the opinion that they are continuing their business not just to survive the lockdown or earn profit but also to serve the society during this time of crisis at their capacity.

Speaking to this reporter, one vendor from Ningthem Pukhri Makha Leirak, Leimapokpam Memma, who vends vegetables at Andro Parking, said that she buys her stock from a woman from Noney.

Saying that she sells vegetables from around 5.30 am to 2 pm, Memma added that she used to earn up to Rs 5,000 on a good day and Rs 2,000 to 3,000 on average but her sales have declined since the imposition of the Nationwide lockdown.

Running of business not just to survive the lockdown, say street vendors

The vendors operating at Andro parking maintain physical distancing norm while selling vegetables, Memma said opining that she continues her business not just to feed her family but also to make vegetables available to the public.

Panganbam Jotin who runs a footwear store at Singjamei said that he comes to sell footwears at Andro parking, as the Government has instructed to close stores that deal with non-essential items.

"There is a slight increase in the price of footwears when I buy it from a wholesaler but I still sell it at a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) as these trying times have affected one and all", Jotin said.

One Thoudam Ranjana from Singjamei who do clothing business said that she earlier sold clothes at a temporary market shed set up for Khwairamband vendors but shifted to Andro Parking due to the renovation work of the temporary shed.

Ranjana also said that she continues to sell her articles at a normal rate.

From 5.30 am to 2 in the evening, several items and edibles such as raw and roasted fishes, vegetables, footwears, clothes, plastic items etc, are being sold at Andro parking by maintaining physical distancing norm.

Police personnel and volunteers of different organisation are also deployed to check the movement of loiterers.

Vendors and consumers coming to the market are made to wear masks mandatorily by the police.

Similar commercial dealing places are also set up at Khurai Lamlong and New Checkon Road.