The Meghalaya government has decided to establish wholesale markets for selling vegetables and other items within Shillong Agglomeration and outside.
Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Monday that for vegetables coming from Ri Bhoi district, the government has arranged wholesale markets at Rgulated Market, MECOFED as well as Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Mawlai Mawïong.
A farmers’ market at Mylliem will be also allowed to operate which has been entrusted to the deputy commissioner to notify the same.
Retail outlets are also being created for vegetable traders at SRGT Parking Lot Polo, Second Ground Polo and Golf Club Parking Lot to ease the citizens especially citizens within Shillong city.
Tynsong said Umdiengpun football ground at Sadew will be also utilized for selling fruits, fish, betel nut and betel leaf for people of Mawphlang, Sohïong, Mawkriah, Laitlyngkot, Nongkynrih and Pynursla area.
The ground floor, first floor and top floor of Mawlong Hat parking lot will be also allowed for selling betel nut, betel leaf and dry fish.
Ground floor of Rapsang market and top floor of Anjalee parking lot will be also used for outlet facilities of agricultural produces, Tynsong said.
The parking lot at Khlieh Ïewduh was also earmarked as wholesale market for fishes and eggs, he added.
When asked about the coming of vegetables from outside the state despite lockdown, Tynsong urged local vegetable traders not to encourage bringing vegetables from outside especially when inter-state movement has been sealed.
Many farmers complaint that they could not sell their agricultural produces due to the lockdown, whereas vegetables brought from outside the state are being sold in various markets.
Now it is the season where farmers have started producing various vegetables.
“We have already said that inter-state movement has been sealed. If vegetables are still coming from outside, it is also the responsibility of all our local traders not to encourage bringing vegetables from outside especially now we are in the season where production of vegetables has started,” Tynsong said.