‘Make Iewduh most talked about market’

SHILLONG, SEPT 29:  The state government is planning to make Iewduh – the oldest traditional market in the heart of the

capital- as the ‘most-talked-about’ market in the state and lives up to its pride and legacy.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said the state government will design investments to enable to achieve the sheer objective of making Iewduh as the most talked about market in the state after his first-ever inspection of the market on Thursday.

He informed that the state government will be sitting with the acting Syiem and myntris of Hima Mylliem, the custodian of the market, to find solutions to the challenges Iewduh is facing and accordingly come up with an action plan.

Stating that today’s visit was impromptu and meant to engage the stakeholders, Sangma said that together the state government can decide on how to keep the pride and legacy of Iewduh up as it deserves the right kind of attention.

“We need to develop stronger partnership and empower the Hima,” he added.

The chief minister was accompanied by Urban Affairs Minister RV Lyngdoh, Health Minister Roshan Warjri and senior officials of the different line departments besides others during his visit to the oldest and biggest market.

Earlier addressing a function organized at the market, Sangma said that people, especially tourists who visits Shillong, must be tempted to come to Iewduh therefore the market has to be made into one of the centres which can be an attraction for people.

“I am sure that if Iewduh can attract the people, the hotels will get money, taxi drivers will get money and state government will get tax,” he said while pointing out that Meghalaya is generating its revenue from luxury tax from hotels, which is utilize for development of the state.

The chief minister also announced that his government is also contemplating of building new markets, which will be designed as destination for dating couples or even honeymoon.

“I am also tempted to design some of the markets myself,” he said.

Stating that the government is also committed to make Meghalaya, a clean and green state in the region, the chief minister said the government will also design a programme where markets will compete for the award of cleanest market.

Earlier, this concept was extended only to villages where they were asked to compete for the award of being the top clean and green village. He said the state must take care of its markets.

“We will channelize the funds for green and clean market to be routed through the deputy commissioner annually to be given to the HIma,” he said adding “When Iewduh is clean this will put pressure to other markets.”

Earlier the Hima Mylliem officials also expressed their interest to develop a first of its kind women’s market complex at the venue of the function where most are tomatoes traders.

According to the officials, the Detail Project Report (DPR) is still in its preparation stage and once completed will be submitted to the state government for financial support.

On the other hand, Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh rued that Iewduh has turned into a ‘slum area’ and warned that if natural disaster strikes, there will be huge casualties in the Iewduh, which is congested with unplanned structures.

“The age-old market has now become a slum and there is a need for modernization of the market,” he said.

In her short speech, Health Minister Roshan Warjri urged everybody to cooperate with the government to restore the lost glory and ensure the city has a clean market and therefore all should take responsibility to achieve this objective.

During his inspection to different trade section of the market, the chief minister also had an interaction with the local traders. Some were even invited for  photo-ops with the chief minister.-By Our Reporter