Police have stopped some seven street food vendors at Kuensel Phodrang in Thimphu from doing their business. According to the vendors, police have reprimanded them to discontinue their trade in the area. Otherwise, they will be slapped with fines.
Talking to BBS news, the street food sellers say police arrived at one of the entrances of Kuensel Phodrang, where they have been selling edibles, at about 10 this morning.
They also say police then took them along with their goods to the parking of the High Court and told them to wait as an official from Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration is coming to discuss the issue with them.
After waiting for hours at the parking, the police then asked them to go home but reminded them not to resume their food business at Kuensel Phondrang. They were also informed that the officiating Thimphu Dzongdag is out of Thimphu.
Therefore, street food vendors say they were told over the phone that they are disallowed to do business at Kuensel Phodrang.
They were taken aback by this since they did not receive any prior information.
For them, this is like snatching away their bread and butter.
“Today, I went to Kuensel Phodrang to sell porridge but right after I got there, all my goods were seized by police even before I could sell a cup. We take care of our own waste and our customers as well. If we are really convinced about the negative aspect of doing such business then we would at least be able to understand why we are barred from doing such business,” shares, one of the street food sellers, Thinley Zangmo.
Others also find themselves in a similar quandary.
“Since I have discontinued my education, I started to sell porridge this year. I have a genuine interest in business but due to a lack of finance, I started a small business like this. They want us to do some other work but without proper qualifications, I cannot avail of any high-paying job opportunity. We would be grateful if the government doesn’t object to doing such businesses,” adds another street food vendor, Dawa Gyeltshen.
When BBS sought views on the matter from the police and the officiating Thimphu Dzongdag, both declined to comment.
Kuensel Phodrang area falls under the jurisdiction of the Thimphu Dzongkhag Administration.
But due to limited resources, Thimphu Thromde helps the dzongkhag to ensure proper waste management and sanitation there.
The Thimphu Thrompon says thromde also discourages trade activities at Kuensel Phodrang, where a major religious programme is underway. Their stand is the same on other days too.
This is mainly in light of the escalating waste problem, cleanliness issues and traffic congestion.
Tashi Yangden & Namgay Dema
Edited by Pema Lhaden
