GANGTOK, 09 OCT: Thirteen shops at 15th Mile along Jawaharlal Nehru Road under Kyonognosla Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU), which had remained sealed since 2019, have been reopened and handed over to local traders following the resumption of border trade with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China earlier this year.
The reopening marks a significant development for local traders, whose livelihoods had been affected by the prolonged closure of the establishments. The shops, which were sealed by the government in 2019, have now been restored for commercial use, bringing relief to the shopkeepers and their families.
The shops were formally reopened by area MLA of Kabi Lungstsok constituency Thenlay Tshering Bhutia, who also handed over official allotment orders to the respective shop owners.
The reopening follows a long-standing demand by local shopkeepers, who had maintained that the closure had severely affected their primary source of income. According to the traders, the shops had remained sealed for several years without prior notice or a clear explanation at the time of closure.
The matter was subsequently brought to the attention of area MLA Bhutia, following which it was taken up with the concerned authorities. With the resumption of border trade, the long-pending issue was addressed, paving the way for the reopening and allotment of the shops to local traders.
The shops will operate under the supervision of the Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) under Kyonognosla Range of the Forest Department. A nominal monthly fee will be deposited into the JFMC Fund, while the committee will be responsible for regular monitoring of the establishments.
The reopening has been welcomed by shopkeepers and local residents, who view the move as an important step towards restoring livelihood opportunities and supporting local economic activity linked to border trade in the area.
अनलाइन् खबर पत्रिका तथ्य जाँच र आचारसंहिता प्रतिवेदन:
यो सामग्री हाम्रा सम्पादक टोलीद्वारा तथ्य प्रमाणीकरण र प्रेस काउन्सिल अफ इन्डिया आचारसंहिता बमोजिम प्रकाशित गरिएको हो।
