Kohima street vendors receive umbrellas from governor

Our Correspondent Kohima, June 21 (EMN): In an effort to help ease their working condition during rainy season, Governor PB Acharya on Friday distributed umbrellas to street vendors in Kohima at the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) office. Ten umbrellas were given to vendors selected via a lucky draw. The programme was organised by the KMC. “We make sure that everyone gets security and respect including the street vendors,” Acharya said in his short address. He added that the works of the vendors were not inferior to any other. Acharya asked the people to respect one another, ‘as it is the highest principle of all.’ Despite the effort and services of the vendors in the state, they are not benefiting from it; “somewhere something is lacking,” he said. The governor called upon the educated people to come forward, initiate citizens’ social responsibility and lend a helping hand to the vendors in every way possible. Advisor to the department of Rural Development, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire also spoke during the event. Speaking about the distribution of umbrellas to the street vendors, he said it was a “good beginning” and hoped people will come forward to help the vendors. He also suggested that similar initiatives should be conducted in other places as well. State Mission Director and Secretary of Duda, S Takatuba Aier enlightened the gathering on the Street Vendors Rule of 2019. He said the rule is one of the programmes of the Urban Livelihoods Mission. Street vendors are the most important component of the mission, Aier said. The government is trying to uplift the welfare of the street vendors by providing an organised spot for them, at all major locations in the town, according to Aier. However, apart from the financial challenges, there is also the issue of landownership, he said. The officer also advised the street vendors to approach legal practitioners and the authority concerned for any issues regarding their safety and rights.