Shillong Nov 8: Announcing the KHADC’s decision against illegal hawking, Executive Member in-charge Trade, Paul Lyngdoh said that non-tribal should obtain vending/trade license issued by the Council, and it is mandatory for tribal vendors to register with the Council.

“I want to inform that the process of registration has already started.From November 11, all tribal and non-tribal vendors should collect the forms for the purpose. The non-tribal vendors should apply for trading license from the trade department, and tribal vendors from the enforcement wing of the trade department,” he said.

All vendors should submit the forms including documents from November 11 to November 30 and will not entertain the application after this period.

“There are parameters which will guide the KHADC while issuing vending or trade license and receiving of these forms. One is that, the location for carrying out their vending business should not in any way cause inconveniences to movement of pedestrians, it should be hygienic and conformed with the health standards, and the trade should be legal,” he said.

Lyngdoh said that the Council would use these three parameters to assess and approve each application and it will be approved on a first come first serve basis.

The Hawkers have to obtain NOC from the authorities concerned, and submit it along with the form.

Under the first phase of this exercise, these forms will be applicable in the entire Shillong city including Shillong municipality areas, 27 wards, Mawlai, Nongthymmai and Pynthorumkrah, meaning seven constituencies of Shillong – Shillong West, Shillong East, Shillong North, Shillong South, Mawlai, Pynthorumkrah and Nongthymmai constituency.

He appealed to all stakeholders to extend their full cooperation to the KHADC.

Lyngdoh also said that the forms are full proof and self contain.

“One of the reasons where one of the associations opposed the exercise and rejected the forms, is because of the fear after having gone through the content of the form. They understand that the provisions are very powerful and that they cannot think of doing benami,” he said.

Whether the Council will ban hawkers from encroaching into footpaths or public space, Lyngdoh said, anyone selling items or products, they will have to submit photographic evidence of the location or spot they are carrying out their business and will make sure that there will be no inconveniences caused to the free movement of pedestrians.

“We will rearrange in such a manner that there will be no inconvenience to the public as well as to motorists. Will ensure that there is no clash among hawkers, pedestrians and motorists. The interest of one should not affect the interest of others,” he said.

On how to detect benami,Lyngdoh said, in the form, it was clearly stated that a hawker should declare his/her items.

“We will give first preference to people who are self employed. There will be many locations which we will not grant permission. Some of them will be left out as the space they are occupying today belongs to pedestrians. We will be as considerate as possible, but we will see that the interest of everybody is taken care of. The interest of hawkers should not be interfered with the interest of the pedestrians and vice versa,” he said.

On food vendors selling eatables, Lyngdoh said, he would seek the cooperation of food inspectors and sanitary inspectors, adding that the KHADC is also proposing to create posts of food safety inspectors.

“We are in the process of identifying suitable location for declaring it as vending zone. We have also discussed with the Hima Mylliem and we want to ensure that the proposed hawker market should accommodate maximum numbers of hawkers. The state government as per verdict of the Meghalaya High Court has been instructed to identify hawker zone. Earlier when I was the Urban Minister, we had already identified Jaïaw taxi stand that time,” Lyngdoh added.