Northeast Desk, 11th June: The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) has swiftly responded to a fraudulent scheme targeting street vendors in the city. The scam involved unknown individuals collecting money from vendors using fake receipts bearing the SMB’s name, falsely claiming to be for vendor registration.
Currently, the vendor registration process is under the jurisdiction of the Town Vending Committee (TVC) as per the Meghalaya Street Vending (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023. However, the SMB CEO confirmed that no registration fee is being charged by the TVC.
Upon receiving complaints from several vendors regarding fake receipts, including a formal complaint from the Meghalaya & Greater Shillong Progressive Hawkers & Street Vendors Association (MGSPHSVA), the scam was brought to light.
Taking immediate action, the SMB CEO filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the office of the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, seeking legal action against those involved in the fraudulent activities.
Authorities have issued a warning to vendors to exercise caution and avoid paying any fees or interacting with individuals claiming association with the vendor registration process. The TVC has assured vendors that the registration process will be transparent and does not require any monetary payment.
The SMB’s proactive response demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the protection and integrity of street vendors’ livelihoods in Shillong.
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