Shillong : Members of the Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers and Street Vendors Association staged a protest in Shillong on Friday, demanding the immediate constitution of a full-fledged Town Vending Committee (TVC) and alleging that authorities are taking unilateral decisions on vending zones without proper consultation.
Speaking to reporters, the association’s General Secretary Shane Thabah said the protest was prompted by the expiry of the Provisional Town Vending Committee (PTVC), whose one-year term has already ended.
He alleged that despite the PTVC’s expiry, important decisions regarding street vendors are being taken by individuals instead of through a legally constituted committee, calling the practice illegal and against the provisions of the Street Vendors Act.
Thabah also accused the authorities of de-notifying vending zones and relocating Certificate of Vending (COV) holders without consulting the committee or affected vendors. He said traditional markets such as Iewduh, Iew Mawlong and Motphran, which are recognised as long-standing heritage markets, have been adversely affected by these decisions.
Referring to the relocation of vendors from the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) area, he alleged that several decisions, including shifting vendors to Polo and other locations, were made without the approval of the committee.
The association maintained that the Street Vendors Act should be used to regulate street vending and protect livelihoods rather than displace vendors without adequate arrangements.
The protesters demanded that the State Government and the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) immediately constitute a full-fledged Town Vending Committee through elections to ensure transparent and fair decision-making on issues concerning street vendors.