SHILLONG, SEPT 14: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said the government’s decision to relocate street vendors to Dhankheti and Barik is a historic and win-win move that balances city beautification with livelihood security.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai and Chief Adviser to the Government and East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh, was speaking after distributing cheques to the relocated vendors at Brightwell Bungalow.
Lauding the cooperation of all stakeholders, Sangma said, “I would like to congratulate the municipal and the urban department and our local MLAs and our vendors for having made this a possibility today. This would not have been possible without the cooperation of every single stakeholder.”
He admitted that the relocation was far more complex than it appears.
“This may look like a very small and simple step, but this has been one of the most challenging situations we have faced. It is not just about development, it is directly linked with the livelihood of people and with the overall beautification of the city,” he said.
The Chief Minister made a special mention of the Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs for vacating his official residence for the vendors.
“The place we are standing on today, Brightwell Bungalow, was the official bungalow of the Urban Affairs Minister. The livelihood of our people is more important to us and therefore, even though it meant that the minister would have to surrender his official bungalow for our vendors, he has done it. I thank him for his graciousness and large-heartedness,” Sangma said.
He said prime government spaces across the city are being given to vendors to ensure streets become walkable and cleaner without affecting their earnings.
Urging people to support the relocated vendors, Sangma said, “All our students, tourists and citizens must visit these vending zones. It is a completely different experience. It has become like a small society and a small community working together for their day-to-day livelihood.”
He said the government plans to upgrade the vending zones with live evening music, toilets, permanent benches and decorative lighting to allow vending beyond 7-8 pm as per permissible hours.
“It is a historic move. We have been trying to do this for long, but it has been a very difficult phase. Finally, we have ensured a win-win where nobody loses and everybody gains,” the Chief Minister said.
As a token assistance, the government is providing Rs 20,000 to each vendor — Rs 10,000 immediate assistance to be credited directly and Rs 2,000 per month thereafter, he added.
