IMPHAL, May 7: Even as street vendors of Khwairamband bazar are making hue and cry against the government’s latest vending policy, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has reaffirmed that no street vendors will be allowed to operate anywhere in Imphal city area.While acknowledging that street vendors are daily wage earner for their families and livelihoods, the Chief Minister asserted that the government would never remain silent when street vendors violate interests of the public by occupying footpaths and other public places. The Chief Minister was speaking at the one day special training programme on flagship schemes and other schemes of SPF government organised by National Students Union of India at the Congress Bhavan today. Further speaking at the programme, he said that the SPF government had provided vending space to all the licence holding vendors of Khwairamband bazar. He also said the government cannot provide vending space for all the street vendors whose population in Imphal city area is increasing by the day in an alarming rate.While stating licence holding street vendors of Khwairamband bazar have been accommodated at Lamphel, he also said that the state government is considering developing of Lamphel as a vegetable market or morning market meant only for vegetables.He also said government is also considering shifting of the hardware shops located in Imphal city heart to a suitable area in an outskirt area of Imphal.The Chief Minister further said the government’s new traffic regulations do not restrict entry of vehicles in Imphal city area but parking in the streets of bazar area. Today’s programme was also attended by MPCC president Gaikhangam, MP Rishang Keishing and MLAs and Congress leaders.
