An embattled state government in Shillong announced on Wednesday it will offer registered hawkers a relocation allowance of Rs 10,000, or Rs 2,000 per month for five months, to assist them in moving to designated vending areas. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong stated that the relocation process will adhere to the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. “We are bound to implement the Act,” he reiterated, noting the government is awaiting a ruling from the High Court on the matter.
The government expressed its commitment to resolving the hawkers’ relocation amicably, emphasizing that the decision was made in response to a High Court ruling to find better locations for them. Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, also the Minister for Urban Affairs, mentioned, “I want my city and streets to be neat and clean. We should be living in discipline, which is why we are not throwing them out but relocating them to another location – the top floor of the MUDA parking lot and Municipal Parking Lot.” He asserted that the decision followed consultations with hawker associations, clarifying it is not an eviction drive but rather an enforcement drive.
Dhar emphasized that July 22 is the deadline for relocation, expressing confidence the hawkers would comply. He warned of action against those who refuse to relocate, as the government is acting in accordance with the court’s directive. He noted that of the 1,400 hawkers identified by the government, 760 currently hold a Certificate of Vending (CoV), and the relocation will happen in phases.
Addressing queries about those without CoV, he assured that the government would ensure local hawkers are supported. Tynsong pointed out that whether the committee overseeing vendors is a Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC) or a full-fledged version, its operation is what matters. He added that the PTVC has already formulated a comprehensive plan for redesigning and relocating hawker spaces.
“A blueprint has been drawn up,” Tynsong noted, mentioning that many hawkers were ineligible for CoV due to incomplete documentation. He indicated that the PTVC continues to hold regular meetings to implement earlier decisions. Tynsong stressed the need for dedicated vending spaces in Shillong, appealing to hawkers for cooperation.
He encouraged vendors to voice their concerns directly to the PTVC, assuring that their issues would be addressed. “The government does not intend to evict them forcefully. We understand the importance of livelihoods,” he stated, reiterating that the measures are aimed at their welfare. Tynsong confirmed the ongoing eviction efforts against unauthorized hawkers continued on Wednesday.
Earlier, a joint operation conducted by the Shillong Municipal Board, district officials, and police targeted street vendors without valid documentation at Khyndai Lad. Several vendors protested, alleging that officials used excessive force during the operation, claiming their goods were confiscated unlawfully, which they argued violated their rights.
Meanwhile, North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum voiced support for the government’s initiative to relocate street vendors to designated areas. He acknowledged that vendors can cause inconvenience to pedestrians but underscored the need for appropriate vending spaces as many rely on this work for their livelihood. Nongrum also expressed discontent that he had not been consulted before the eviction operation, despite being the local representative, and noted no affected vendors had approached him with complaints.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/07/03/govt-offers-rs-10000-each-to-hawkers-for-relocation/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2025-07-03 01:50:00
