No licence; free for all: CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2011: Appealing to street vendors to call off the general strike, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has categorically stated that street vendors may occupy the vacant ground in front of Shankar Talkies, Lamphel on first come, first serve basis but no licence would be issued as it is open to all.

It would not be acceptable to the Government if all the street vendors coming from different parts of the State insist on plying their trade only at Khwairamband Keithel, Ibobi stated.

Speaking at a special training session on flagship programmes organised by the NSUI at Congress Bhavan here today, Ibobi said that no one including vendors would be allowed to take law into their hands.

The Government is aware that the vendors have been shouldering huge responsibility of earning their families' livelihood as well as the huge burden of educating their children.

But it would not be acceptable if they insist on plying their trade on congested roads and bridges in their own interest.

Because of unrestrained allotment of pattas over roads and issuance of licences during the tenure of previous Governments, the incumbent Government was compelled to give seats to those patta and licence holders at the former site of Old District Hospital on priority basis.

A women exclusive market complex would be constructed at the site of Tombisana High School at the cost of Rs 72 crores and licence holders would be given seats there on priority basis, Ibobi announced.

No licence or plots would be allotted in unlawful or fraudulent manner, he added.

As for the problem arising out of non-allotment of parking spaces to rickshaws and hand-carts, necessary arrangements would be made in a phase manner so that shops dealing in such merchandise like steel, cement and grocery items have their stores outside Khwairamband Keithel.

Together with development of market complexes of Khwairamband Keithel, the Government is also considering about construction of a market complex at Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak, Ibobi stated.

With the number of vehicles increasing by one lakh annually on average in Imphal and greater Imphal area, the volume of traffic has surged quite high resulting in unprecedented congestion in almost all the roads around Imphal city.

There is a need to check and impose certain restrictions on purchasing vehicles, Ibobi noted.

He further appealed to the gathering to ensure that benefits of today's flagship training programme reach poor sections of the society.

The programme was also attended by many MLAs and party leaders.

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