Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokan today said hawkers would not be allowed on footpaths before 6:30 pm on workdays from next Sunday. "Hawkers would be able to run business on footpaths in the areas under Ramna and Motijheel police stations after 6:30 pm on weekly workdays," he said while exchanging views with hawkers in the city. The mayor said no hawker would be allowed on footpaths and roads at daytime on workdays as it hinders movement of the people. This system will come into force in other parts of the city in phases, he added. The decision on hawkers` business on footpath will come into force from Sunday, he said, adding that city corporation executive magistrates will take punitive actions if any hawker violates the decision. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will extend cooperation to the city corporation in this regard, he said. The DSCC organized the exchange of opinion meeting over the rehabilitation of hawkers and opening holiday markets in the city. DSCC Chief Executive Officer Khan Mohammad Bilal and other senior officers of the city corporation, senior police officers and hawker leaders were present at the meeting. Sayeed Khokan said the city corporation has selected six places for holiday markets. The places are footpath in front of Motijheel Ideal School, area between Dilkusha Sadharan Bima Car Parking and Yunus Centre, Baitul Mokarram Link Road, footpath of the south of GPO, footpath in front of park at Jatrabari crossing and footpath in front of Dhalpur Staff College High School. The holiday markets will open for business for one day in a week, the DSCC mayor said, adding that a decision will be taken later on keeping the holiday markets open on Saturdays in the areas where offices and markets remain shut on Saturdays. The activities of extortionists using the identity of `lineman` must be stopped, he said and added that the city corporation will take legal actions against them. Sayeed Khokan said the city corporation will take steps to give identity cards to listed hawkers and extend cooperation, if any of them wants to change business to join another job or to go abroad.
Source : BSS