Bhubaneswar MP and BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday met the vendors who have lost their livelihood due to a flash eviction drive carried out by the administration at a daily market near Ganesh Mandap in Jharpara area and demanded monetary compensation for them.
Following a discussion with the vendors about their loss of livelihood, Sarangi wrote a letter to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) demanding monetary compensation. She also urged the administration to provide an alternative marketplace to the vendors within seven days.
“It’s the duty and responsibility of one and all to beautify and develop the Capital city. But it shouldn’t be at the cost of inconvenience to people. Whenever we undertake any developmental and beautification activities, utmost importance should be given to the safety and security of people,” said Sarangi.
“The new urban body should have started its work with a new and positive attitude and mindset. We congratulate the new body for any kind of development work. But they should have started the initiative with a positive mindset,” she said, adding that all the 430 evicted vendors should be provided an alternative market place within seven days.
We will support and cooperate in the development work. The State Government should come up with a new market complex within one or two years. But all the 430 evicted vendors should be allotted shops in the new market complex on a priority basis, said Sarangi.
The BJP leader also demanded compensation for the vendors.
“They are poor people and they have been deprived of their livelihood due to the eviction drive. They have also lost all of their capital investment. How will they start their livelihood again? They should be compensated for it and provided monetary assistance immediately,” she added.