Women vendors have urged the MHRC to direct the IMC to allot shops to them in the Lamphel Supermarket, alleging that they have not been given the shops despite certain amount of money collected from them by the market association.
As many as eight women approached the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), lodging complaint against the commissioner of MAHUD, Municipal commissioner and the Lamphelpat Super Market Shops and Street Vendors Welfare Association
They alleged that the association leaders collected a sum of Rs 10,000 each from them for allotting the shops to them after completion of the Lamphel Supermarket.
They further alleged that the association collected Rs 600 each from the vendors, assuring that they would help in submitting documents to the government so that vendors are provided government loans under the PM Modi Street Vendors Scheme.
They stated that in May 2017, the Urban Development minister announced a new market shed with modern facilities at Lamphel Supermarket. The then minister assured vendors who have been selling vegetables at the place that they would be provided their space.
In September 2020, the vending area which had been occupied by the vendors was dismantled for proper construction of the market. But when vendors demanded their respective shops on the construction of market sheds and shops, leaders of the association informed them that only five shops were allotted, they said.
When they enquired with the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC), it was informed that already required numbers of shops for vendors were alloted through the Lamphel Super Market Shops and Street Vendors Welfare Association.
It was also alleged that some “family members” are even allotted four-five shops, thereby denying shops to eligible vendors.
Therefore, eight women (vendors) lodged complaints with prayer of directing the executive officer of IMC to submit an allotment order of the shops, to furnish a list of shopkeepers and to allot shops to them.
The MHRC registered the complaint case under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It heard the complaints that the vegetable vendors and shopkeepers have been selling vegetables and other grocery items at the temporary shed near Lamphel Supermarket since 2011. They claimed that their rights to livelihood, rights to work and right to food have been denied, MHRC observed.
The commission recommended the MAHUD commissioner and municipal commissioner of IMC respond to the complaint within two weeks.
It further asked the SP of Imphal West to instruct OC Lamphel PS to identify to president Subhash and secretary Bikram of the Lamphel Supermarket Shops and Street Vendors Welfare Association to ensure their personal appearance before the commission.
