IMPHAL, Feb 11 : Amidst the controversial construction process of the women?s market sheds in and around Khwairamband Keithel, in the busiest market places in the heart of Imphal town, a design committee for the construction of these markets sheds was recently constituted in the State. The committee has been authorised by the State authority to work out the needful, reliable sources said here on Tuesday.
The four member design committee for the construction of the market sheds have been constituted on January 29 last with eminent artist and scholar Thoidingjam Tombi as it?s chairman. Researcher Mutua Bahadur, architect L Mangi and another senior architect of the Public Works Department government of Manipur are the members while chief town planner N Gitkumar was the convenor.
The Government of Manipur under the financial support from the Union Ministry of Urban Development have been making its way to construct a ?women market? replacing existing three structures of women markets ? Nupi Keithel, Luxmi Bazaar and Purana Bazaar as part of taking up Imphal town beautification programme. For this a sum of Rs 45.56 crores has already been sanctioned by the central authority. But it was strongly opposed by the womenfolk on two grounds.
The first ground was apprehension of demolishing its old and historical market shed structure and mixing up with those run by mail vendors. The second was the recent report of giving allotment to the unconcerned parties by the Imphal Municipal Council authority in advance prior to the beginning of its actual construction. The matter has been brought up in State Assembly last year wherein the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi announced to take necessary action against those involved officials.
As a result the government of Manipur has been seeking cooperation and support from every section of the society by holding a series of seminars and workshops till date to ease the resistance of the womenfolk. Some of the womenfolk have started to cooperate with the government and urged the chief minister not to return the sanctioned amount meant for the construction of the women market in imphal.
Earlier a 16 member construction committee of the market sheds under the chairmanship of municipal areas Housing and Urban Development (mahud) Minister Leishram Nandakumar on November 3 last year and the committee later sought public opinion in connection with the construction of the market sheds after holding its first ever gathering on January 9 last.
Patsoi Kendra MLA and minister M Nabadwip was the vice-chairman of the committee. They also requested the general masses to submit their views, opinion and suggestion within February 23 this year. The construction committee include representatives from United Committee Manipur (ucm) and other senior citizens and social leaders of the State.