November 22: Vegetable vendors in the capital city Thimphu have been facing never ending problems. This time it is the space problem.

It’s been a month, since they were shifted to the new temporary location near the Centenary Farmer’s Market after the YHS ground used as a temporary weekend vegetable market was converted into an entertainment venue.

Most vendors have started occupying the space along the designated parking area. This has created problems for both parking fee collectors and nearby shops.

Sonam Jamtsho from Bidha Enterprise, who is the authorized manager for collecting parking fee in the area, said the problem has been going on for about three weeks.

He said, to solve the problem, they even tried collecting a nominal fee from vegetable vendors. But some were not willing to pay. He said they also informed the Thimphu City Corporation, following which municipality officials had come to notify the vendors and asked them to vacate the designated parking area.

It has been quite difficult for us in operating the area because no wonder this was the parking area awarded by City Corporation and also we have been paying royalty to them. Since three weeks ago the vegetable vendors are occupying our space we didn’t collect any fees. And it is hampering my business.

The City Corporation’s Chief Environment Officer Gyeltshen Drukpa said they have already marked areas where the vendors can sell their goods, but they are not occupying it. He said instead vendors are rushing to occupy the space along the parking area.

Vegetable vendors told BBS that the area designated by City is in the corners far away from the parking. Vendors said even buyers prefer not to come to that area.

Shop owners are also complaining that the vendors have blocked the road. Therefore, people are not coming to buy from their shops.

Meanwhile, City officials hope that the problem will be solved once the Centenary Farmers Market is operational. They are in the process of checking license and documents of those who have applied for stalls at the Market.