Govt in a bind over Keithel seat allocation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 23 2010: Even though it has been almost 20 days since the newly constructed Ima markets of Khwairamband Keithel were inaugurated by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, women vendors are unable to take their seats in the new market complexes due to the State Government's failure to settle the vexed issue of vendor seat allocation.

An official source in Imphal Municipal Council said that women vendors of the three market complexes��Leimarel Shidabi Ima Keithel (Purana Bazar), Imoinu Ima Keithel (Laxmi Bazar) and Phouoibi Ima Keithel (New Market), have started coming to the IMC office to pay vendor licence fees anticipating that they would be allowed to take their seats in the newly constructed market complexes from November 29 .

A view of one of the keithels recently inaugurated

Generally, licence fees can be paid round the year.

But speculations among the women vendors about the possible shifting to the newly constructed market complexes within the current month have led to a sudden rush in payment of licence fees.

Women vendors have also been constantly asking IMC staff whether they would shift to the newly constructed market complexes from November 29 .

IMC staff only replied that the Government has not yet issued any official notification in this regard and that they could not give any definite date for opening business at the newly constructed market complexes.

On the other hand, it is reported that IMC's Revenue Officer, Inspector, Additional Inspector, Assistant Inspector and LDC would be involved in vendor seat distribution.

Another official source informed that there would have a total of 881 vendor seats in the newly constructed Leimarel Shidabi Ima Keithel including 74 in shed number 1, 74 in shed no 2, 57 in shed no 3, 50 in shed no 4, 62 in shed no 5, 69 in shed no 6, 68 in shed no 7, 54 in shed no 8, 66 in shed no 9, 69 in shed no 10, 70 in shed no 11, 64 in shed no 12, 53 in shed no 13 and 51 in shed no 14 .

Imoinu Ima Keithel would have 707 licensed vendors.

Out of them, 52 would be given their seats in shed no 1, 50 in shed no 2, 49 in shed no 3, 47 in shed no 4, 50 in shed no 5, 49 in shed no 6, 35 in shed no 7, 41 in shed no 8, 50 in shed no 9, 61 in shed no 10, 42 in shed no 11, 58 in shed no 12, 57 in shed no 13 and 66 in shed no 14 .

Phouoibi Ima Keithel would have 1104 seats in aggregate including 46 in shed no 1, 42 in shed no 2, 42 in shed no 3, 47 in shed no 4, 67 in shed no 5, 69 in shed no 6, 65 in shed no 7, 95 in shed no 8, 94 in shed no 9, 92 in shed no 10, 95 in shed no 11, 118 in shed no 12, 119 in shed no 13 and 113 in shed no 14.Licence fee for each of these vendor seats is Rs 15 per month.

Meanwhile, necessary efforts are being made to allot vendor seats to the street vendors, vendors occupying Nagamapal street sides and the front side of Uripok Cheirap Court in the temporary market sheds once they are vacated by the current occupants and shifted to the newly constructed market complexes.