IMPHAL, October 22: “There has been rampant violation in selling wares not mentioned in the Trade License issued by the Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) by the license holders. People selling clothes and other knick-knacks in places where only a specific type of item is supposed to be sold has become a common occurrence- for instance, selling of mineral water bottles, pan, gutkha etc. where only fish is to be sold, or selling of shoes, bangles and other eatables by persons holding Trade License for selling rice. The current trend has gone from bad to worse, posing a threat to the traditional image of the world famous landmark”, a press release issued by L Mema Devi, secretary of Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup stated.
It further alleged the concerned authorities of harassing only a few women vendors for the same and not trying to rectify the growing problem.
Questioning the rationale behind the allocation of space to a male vendor inside the market complex which is traditionally occupied only by women vendors as well as the authorization for setting shop by a male vendor at the foot of the stairs inside the New Market, the release alleged the IMC of turning a blind eye to such wrongdoings as some of the offenders are close to MLAs and Ministers, and appealed to the authorities to refrain from practicing petty politics which is causing tension and bad blood amongst the women vendors inside the market complex and urged the IMC to rectify the problem at the earliest to continue the smooth functioning of the market by regulating and ensuring that only wares mentioned in the Trade Licenses are allowed to be sold in future, thus also ensuring that the traditional image and unique reputation of the market be preserved.
The statement added that there is nothing wrong in imitating the systematic method of implementing public welfare schemes and services being carried out without any discrimination or partiality in places like Tripura by the Ministers and MLAs of this state to ensure that the daily livelihood of the vendors are being safeguarded, drawing comparisons with the alleged partial and favoritism being practiced by the IMC, further demanding resignation of officials who cannot perform their duties and obligations with conviction and sincerity. The release also demanded clarification from the state Government on the ongoing staircase repairing and modification works involving some of the women vendors who are also demanding contribution from the vendors in the complex.