GUWAHATI, July 18 � The indigenous women vendors who have come together under the banner of Beltola Mahila Sak Pacholi Byabahayi Santha, met the GMC Commissioner demanding their rights as per the National Policy for Street Vendors.
A six-member delegation of the Santha submitted a memorandum to the GMC Commissioner urging him to do the needful for the women vendors so that they can continue their livelihood with dignity. The Santha informed that the GMC Commissioner has assured to give serious consideration to their grievances.
�We encounter a lot a problems while doing our trade and lack of protection is one major challenge that a majority of us face,� said the Santha adding that working condition becomes more vulnerable with the lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets and cr�ches for their children.
The Santha said that the GMC Commissioner has promised to provide toilet facility for the women vendors at Beltola market.
The Santha in its memorandum has demanded separate vending space for the women vendors at Beltola market. �In the name of urban renewal process women vendors are being removed from various vending places,� said the Santha adding that extortion from the vendors should be stopped immediately and licenses should be issued to the vendors.
�Several group collect money from us at Beltola, including the GMC. So to stop this practice we have demanded of the civic body to issue license to us,� said the Santha.
It needs to be mentioned here that despite a national policy for the urban street vendors, there is no visible attempt to create vending spaces or vending zones with proper facilities for the vendors to carry out their activities without undue restrictions and harassment.
