Siparia vendors are crying foul, claiming they were bypassed in the allocation of prime selling spots in the new market building. Yesterday, several of the vendors voiced their dissatisfaction over the number of stalls allotted to some vendors and the location of others. Vendor Ramsumair Ramlogan, who has been selling vegetables for past 30 years in Siparia, complained that he did not get a stall in the new market.
Another vendor who sells plants, said she had no spot. “Outside people here. They have four stalls. People who never sell here before get stalls,” she complained. She said Siparia vendors should be given “first preference” when stalls are being allotted. “They should choose people who accustomed selling in the market,” she said.
Yesterday, chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation Leo Doonath assured the vendors that they have nothing to fear since all vendors will be accommodated in the new market. “Over the next three Sundays we will regularise them,” he said. He said the corporation had allowed the vendors to use the new facility, which is yet to be formally opened, as a temporary measure because of the poor conditions they were forced to sell in at Lalla Street, Siparia. “Vendors and customers were under pressure,” Doonath said.
“They were facing the elements. Their stalls were located on Lalla Street, which was a temporary location, and it has become dilapidated. So they were temporarily moved into the market where, in time to come, we will regularise them.” Doodnath said there will be transparency in the allotment of stalls since the corporation has formal records on all the bona fide vendors in Siparia. He said he met with the Siparia Vendors’ Association several days ago about the need to regularise the vendors.
Doodnath said he is awaiting word from Local Government Minister Dr Surajrattan Rambachan on when the market will be formally opened. (RR)