The High Court of Meghalaya has sought a report from the state government on actions taken under Meghalaya State Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023.
The High Court sought for the report while considering two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) involving relocating areas permitted to be used for street vending, regulation of traffic for free movement of vehicles, relocating parking spaces, and overall implementation of plans to make Shillong, a modern, clean and well administered city.
The division bench of the High Court, comprising of Chief Justice I. P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh adjourned the hearings on the PILs till July 3.
The High Court directed by the state government to file an affidavit by July 1 highlighting the actions taken under Meghalaya State Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, and circulate a copy thereof to the Advocate-on-Record for the petitioner.
The petitioners were represented by Advocate T. Dkhar, Advocate N. Syngkon while the respondents were represented by Government Advocate K. P. Bhattacharjee.
The High Court observed that although the state government has taken steps for registration of authorised vendors, and identification of vending zones, the Meghalaya State Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023 has not been implemented.
As a result, the problem of illegal occupation of road space and footpath and congestion continued in Shillong, the High Court observed.
The division bench also highlighted the ‘special danger’ is caused to school going students who are unable to use the footpath and are compelled to walk on the road exposing themselves to accidents.
