Imphal, January 16 2010: A convention of street-vendors held today at GM Hall has decided to demand a long-term separate policy for them.

The convention organised by the Road-Side Vendors' Welfare Association was attended by Imphal Municipal Council Chairperson RK Ranisana as chief guest and Manipur Keithel Phambi Apunba Ima Lup Khwairamband Keithel president L Mema as functional president.

Prof Dr Dhanabir Laishram, Prof Chinglen Maisnam, general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, Imphal L Sotinkumar and vice-president of the All Manipur Nupi Marup M Shakhi were also present at the convention as guests of honour.

Giving key-note address of the function, president of the Road-Side Vendors' Welfare Association Kh Tama said that the rising number of street vendors is an indicator of the increasing population in BPL category.

These street vendors struggling to earn a square meal a day have been enduring a great many difficulties.

The State Government has no specific policy for them, she noted.

Of the many resolutions adopted at the convention, formulation of a specific policy for street vendors compatible to the condition of Manipur was the foremost.

It resolved that the temporary market sheds being occupied by licensed vendors be allotted to street vendors when the licensed vendors shift to newly constructed market sheds.

Other resolutions of the meeting include construction of toilet sheds in and around Khwairamband Keithel, issuance of IMC identity cards to street vendors, opening of health care centres at Khwairamband Keithel, constitution of IMC committee with representatives of street vendors and provision of social security to street vendors.

RK Ranisana said that allotment of space to street vendors, issuing identity cards and other welfare programmes should be done under a specific State policy.

She said that leaders of different vendor organisations need to unite together and launch a campaign to persuade the Government to frame a suitable policy.

Appealing to street vendors to do their trade in legally acceptable manner, the IMC Chairperson sought cooperation in the ongoing verification process.

Addressing the convention, Prof Dhanabir Laishram asserted that the Government should take due note of the plight of street vendors and take up necessary remedial measures.

Chinglen Maisnam said that the campaign to bring quality education is inter-linked with elevation of the condition of street vendors.

Because street vendors would be able to pay more attention to education of their children only when they can do their trades without any disturbance.

M Shakhi emphasised the need to develop Keithels located around Imphal as well as district headquarters so as to check the rising number of street vendors.

L Sotinkumar asserted that maternity benefits should also be extended to street vendors.

The State Government should ensure that street vendors get the fixed daily wage without failure.

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