Biswajit promises early handing over of Ima Keithel sheds rattled by Jan 4 quake
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 04 2018: Providing a sigh of relief to the women vendors at Ima Keithel, who were affected by the January 4, 2016 earthquake that shook the State, Works Minister Th Biswajit announced that the two market sheds that were devastated by the earthquake would be handed over to the women vendors at the earliest as its repairing work has been almost completed.

Talking exclusively to The Sangai Express, Biswajit regretted that the women vendors have been compelled to reel under intense hardship as the two market sheds where they vend were devastated by the earthquake.

The Minister said that following the formation of the BJP-led Government at the State, a felicitation ceremony was organised by the women vendors for Chief Minister N Biren, MAHUD Minister Th Shyamkumar and him in the middle of the two market sheds wherein they were urged to complete the repairing work as soon as possible considering the hardships faced by the women vendors.

He said that the new Government had assured the women vendors that the two market sheds will be handed over to them by January 22 of this year.

He informed that Public Works Department (PWD) was entrusted with the repairing work at an estimated cost of Rs 36 crore.

He said that the Government despite facing financial crunch was committed to early completion of the repairing work and the concerned contractors were asked to complete the work at the earliest.

He said that the Government acting on a plea made by the women vendors is all set to instal solar power plates at Ima Keithel to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Maintaining that most of the women vendors at Ima Keithel are looking after their families by vending wares amidst much difficulties, the Minister acknowledged the significant role played by the women vendors in addressing and resolving many contentious issues confronting the State.

The historic Ima Keithel which is the only market in the world that is run by women only symbolises Manipuri women's empowerment in the society since the reign of the kings, he added.

Thoudam Shanti, president of Khwairamband Keithel Sinpham & Saktam Kanba Lup said that the January 4 earthquake came as a shocker to the women vendors at Ima Keithel.

She said that the following the earthquake, women vendors have been urging the State Government to allocate vending spaces to sustain livelihood.

She said that many women vendors were forced to sell wares on the streets against all odds during the course of the ongoing repairing work.

Numerous memorandums were submitted and rounds of talks were held with the new Government urging early completion of the repairing work.

But now the women vendors heave a sigh of relief as the Government has given an assurance that the repairing work of the two market sheds has been almost completed and that the same will be handed over to the women vendors by January 22, she added.

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