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| Vendors sell vegetables in a market in Kokrajhar. File picture |
Kokrajhar, June 10: The women vendors of the indigenous community in Kokrajhar district demanded a proper space to sell their wares in Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon market, along with other basic amenities.
A general meeting was held today where over 200 women vendors from Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon town came together to commemorate four years of the foundation of the Kokrajhar and Gossaigaon Aaijw Falangi Afat (Women Vendors’ Association) at Bodofa House in Kokrajhar today.
Various problems faced by these women, who sell vegetables, meats and fish and contribute to the economy of the family and sustain their living, were also discussed in the meeting.
The women vendors constitute around 65 per cent of the traders.
However, they lack basic facilities like a proper market, drinking water and toilets in spite of paying daily taxes ranging upto Rs 30 to the municipal corporation.
They have to face the summer heat and rain to sell their wares and also have to fight for space. “We will be happy if we had a permanent place where we can sell our vegetables,” a vendor said.
“We have to pay tax ranging from Rs 5 and Rs 35 daily for the space, no matter how meagre our daily income is. Many times we are driven away,” said Salara, who sells vegetables at Kokrajhar market.
The citizens have raised the issue of providing a permanent place, besides basis facilities like drinking water and sanitation from time to time.
They also questioned the practice of collecting taxes from underprivileged women, as the BTC comes under the Sixth Schedule and indigenous communities, including government employees, are exempted from paying taxes.
But not much has been done to make things easier for these women by the authorities concerned, including the district administration and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
“The local administration and the government should see that these women get the basic facilities. The tribal women who had hitherto remained confined to the four walls of their houses are now trying to contribute to their family earnings by selling vegetables and Bodo traditional dresses in the weekly and daily markets. It is really heart-warming to see these womenfolk from the neighbouring villages trying to eke out a living by selling vegetables at the daily market. This has given them a chance to enhance their economic condition, besides being able to send their children to schools, colleges. Unfortunately, they are being harassed, let alone giving them the basic facilities. They should be encouraged,” said Prativa Brahma, a social worker. “That they are earning and looking after their families at the same time is no mean achievement, not to forget that they paying daily tax.”
Absu president Promode Boro, who attended the meeting today, saluted the perseverance of the vendors and promised to help them in every possible way.