Ranchi Market Vendors Stage Protest Against RMC Reshuffling Order
Business operations at Kutchery Road's Atal Smriti Vendor Market in Ranchi came to a complete standstill on Wednesday as 478 shopkeepers staged a significant protest against the Ranchi Municipal Corporation's (RMC) controversial reshuffling order. The vendors strongly opposed the proposed reallocation of shops, arguing that it would severely disrupt businesses that have operated successfully at the site for the past seven years.
Market Background and Vendor Concerns
The Atal Smriti Vendor Market, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 54 crore, was specifically designed to rehabilitate roadside vendors and decongest city streets. This multi-category market accommodates diverse small businesses including garment sellers, footwear traders, accessory outlets, stationery shops, and various other enterprises. Vendors currently pay Rs 500 per month as maintenance charges for their allocated spaces.
According to traders, approximately 70 vacant shops were recently allotted through a process they claim lacked transparency in its lottery system, triggering widespread resentment among existing occupants. The vendors argue that this reshuffling threatens their established customer relationships and business stability.
Vendor Testimonies Highlight Business Impact
Ravi Singh, a garment vendor with seven years at the market, expressed his concerns: "Our garment shop has been operating here for seven continuous years. Customers identify us specifically by our established location. If we are forcibly shifted now, it will directly and negatively impact our income. We are not against improvements or necessary changes, but such crucial decisions must be implemented with complete transparency and fairness."
Raju Yadav, who operates a footwear shop, offered a different perspective: "This proposed reshuffling would merely redistribute losses among vendors rather than creating genuine improvements. Instead of implementing disruptive reshuffling, the sitting arrangement should be systematically improved to ensure equal opportunity for all vendors without disrupting existing businesses."
Sita Devi, another long-term vendor, emphasized the importance of stability: "We have painstakingly built our livelihood here over multiple years. Sudden relocation disturbs our established customer base and directly affects our daily earnings, creating unnecessary uncertainty for small traders who depend on consistent operations."
RMC Response and Regulatory Context
Responding to the allegations, RMC administrator Sushant Gaurav defended the corporation's actions: "All procedures were followed in a completely fair and transparent manner. The lottery system is designed to be completely random, and no priority or preference was given to any individual or group. The allegations being raised are entirely baseless and without merit."
Gaurav further clarified the regulatory framework: "Once the tenure period officially ends, conducting a re-lottery process is part of the corporation's mandated responsibilities under existing regulations. This procedure is carried out strictly according to prescribed rules and established protocols."
Historical Context and Ongoing Demands
The shops at Atal Smriti Vendor Market were originally allotted in 2019 under a three-year agreement. However, after this tenure concluded, vendors continued operating amid regulatory uncertainty, allegedly due to the non-constitution of the town vending committee, which delayed further decisions regarding renewal and regulation.
Despite RMC's assurances, vendors continue to demand greater clarity and a comprehensive review of the reshuffling order to ensure business continuity. The protest highlights the tension between municipal regulatory processes and the practical business needs of small traders who have invested years building customer relationships at specific locations within the market.
The situation remains unresolved as vendors seek assurances that any reshuffling will be conducted with proper transparency and consideration for their established businesses, while RMC maintains that their procedures comply with all regulatory requirements designed to ensure fairness in shop allocation.
