Shillong, October 8: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday said the government will not rush to evict hawkers without first identifying suitable vending locations where they can continue earning a livelihood.
Dhar said relocation exercises at Khyndai Lad and Laitumkhrah have already been completed, while further action in other parts of Shillong will be taken only after proper accommodation is identified. “They are our own boys and girls, we cannot throw them out,” Dhar told reporters.
Explaining the delay in extending the relocation drive to other areas, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government wants to ensure that hawkers are shifted to places that are commercially viable. “The reason for the delay is because I have to put them in the right place. They are our own people, we cannot just throw them on the roadside,” he said.
Dhar said the government plans to follow the model adopted at Khyndai Lad and Laitumkhrah while dealing with hawkers in other areas, including GS Road. “There are so many places, we have not finalised, as we have to see if it will be a good business or not,” he said.
He maintained that the government remains committed to addressing the issue in the public interest. “We are not disheartened, we are working only for the public. I will not tell you what I will do, but I will do what is necessary,” Dhar said.
Meanwhile, responding to a question on the long-pending Polo Market, Dhar said the allotment process has been completed in a transparent manner.
He said the selected party had quoted a rate of ₹50 per square foot, which he described as a good rate, and added that the agreement has been signed. “As of now agreement signed, I have just approved the file, it will be done accordingly,” Dhar said.
