Vegetable vendors at the Centenary Farmers Market (CFM) are unhappy with the introduction of a rental contract by the management. The contract which they claim to have signed under compulsion last year obligates them to pay an increased rent along with a security deposit.
More than 400 vendors sell their products at the stalls of the CFM every day. Till March this year, each vendor had to pay around Nu 450-500 a week for a stall. But the rental fees have now almost doubled which they say is too high. In addition, the vendors also have to pay a security deposit of two months’ rent.
“In past, the rent for each vendor was only 300, but now it’s 820. All the vendors have been made to follow the policy made by the government which is a problem for us.,” Dorji, a vegetable vendor, said.
“We signed the contract and even paid the security deposit of two months. We sought help from the Agriculture Ministry to which they agreed at first but unfortunately, they later said that we should follow according to BAFRA,” Lobzang Wangchuk, another vendor, said.
“Officials asked vendors to leave the market if they do not sign the contract by 30th July,” Deki Yangzom, also a vendor, said.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Forests Minister Yeshey Penjore says the increase in rent and introduction of the security deposit was made after consulting the vendors. He added the rent has been increased to meet the costs of basic facilities such as water and electricity provided to the vendors.
“What the vendors need to know is that the rental fee for them is a very small amount. It may look huge looking at the percentage but when converted into Ngultrum it is minimal. The rents collected will help the vendors as it will provide better facilities and services to them. The rent revised is also affordable to the vendors at CFM in Thimphu.”
He shared the security deposit has been started according to the existing tenancy policy and will be returned if a vendor decides not to use the stalls.
