Govt to take all stakeholders on board before relocation of hawkers: Dhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 27, 2025

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday assured that the government will take all stakeholders on board.

His statement came after the Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers & Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA) had threatened to resort to agitation if the provisional town vending committee (PTVC) failed to convene an emergency meeting.

The association of hawers also demanded the immediate withdrawal of public notifications and cancellation of all actions done by the PTVC, which they alleged is an illegal body besides starting the process of claims and objections and creation of an eligible list of hawkers and street vendors who should be issued certificates of vending.

According to them, this electoral college of eligible vendors should elect their representatives to a legally mandated TVC as it was made clear in a letter dated December 13, 2022 constituting a provisional TVC as an interim arrangement to do the in situ survey, examine claims and objection etc. 

Responding to a query on the matter, Dhar said, “Everything we will do as per law only. We will try to take everybody on board.”

“Yes, if there are some complications, we will solve it together…there may be issues in some places and even for that also we are ready to adjust here and there,” he added.

Asked, Dhar said, “The government’s door is always open for meeting with the stakeholders and the mind of the government, yes we want to relocate a few important places for the betterment of the city and the convenience of the public.”

“Yes, if there is any resistance from them, we will have a proper dialogue with the hawkers. They are most welcome to meet us there is no issue on that,”  he further added.