Imphal, November 06 2010: The construction of three multi-storey women's market-sheds has been completed and is ready for inauguration at any time, said Work minister K Ranjit addressing a hurriedly called press conference tonight at the market site.

Government is also considering to construct a fourth women's market-shed at the present site of Tombisana High School complex and also another market-shed at Chingmeirong Bazar specially for the convenience of people coming from Senapati, Ukhrul, etc., Ranjit said.

He said that PWD authority had made hectic efforts to keep ready the three market-sheds for inauguration before Diwali and Ningol Chakouba festivals by Sonia Gandhi.

Her visit has however been postponed.

Inconveniences will be occurred while organizing inaugural function at the market site as people is to throng in Imphal markets for shopping in connection with the festival, he asserted giving reason behind the postponement of the inauguration date.

Ranjit said that the three market-sheds were targeted to be completed by 2009 but due to many hindrances came up in the way related with law and order, it could not met.

But tireless effort of the government had able to complete the construction by October last.

Talking on the allotment of seats to the vendors, Ranjit said that priority will be given to the license holder vendors of Imphal Municipality who had occupied the seats in the elsewhere three market-sheds.

There are around 4000 license holder vendors of IMC.

After they had occupied their seats, government will take up steps to accommodate new comer vendors.

The demand for reservation of vendor seats for Kabui women is under observation by the government.

Government will take a final decision in this regard at appropriate time, he assured.

Apart from providing toilet and eatery places in all the market-sheds, place for child care for the women with their minor wards would be kept.

Social welfare department will depute its staff to look after the minor child while their mothers are in work.

Safe drinking water would be supply from the Water Supply Scheme inside the Kangla fort which was once used by the Assam Rifles when they were there.

The scheme will be kept reserved for supplying water to the market-sheds only.

An administrative officer each will be deputed at each market-shed for dealing with the complaints of the women vendors and to solve it accordingly.

The ground floor of the market-sheds will be utilized as parking place for two-wheelers as temporary arrangement.

Government is also planning to construct a tunnel for connecting the market-sheds.

He further said that the existing rate of fee collected from the vendors which is Rs 15 per month will be revised.

But for the time being, the rate is not fixed by the authority.

He also expressed gratitude to the women vendors, NGOs and other who extended supports in the construction of the three market-sheds and assured that the traditional system of only women vendors in the market-sheds will be always be maintained by the government.

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