May 3, 2009: When the earlier vegetable market was budged to the present place near the Omchhu in 2005, vendors where told the shift was temporary. They put up in shoddy sheds for the next two years, as officials apparently promised shop space in the new Dratshang Lhentshog’s building. Now the new five-storey building stands imposingly where once stood the old vegetable market.

The vendors were offered space in the basement of the new building, but the rent was unimaginable for many. Others are uncertain of their business since the new space is ‘underground.’

“Who will come to shop at the basement? The minimum rent in the new building is not less than Nu 5,000. It is not reasonable,” said Harendra Prasad, a vegetable shop owner, who now pays a rent of Nu 1,200 per month.

As of now, only three new people have been allotted space at the basement of the complex.

The managing director of the complex, Choki Gyeltshen, said everything is ready and they are hopeful to shift the three applicants by the end of this month.

Space for two meat stalls has been allotted at the basement. The earlier restriction from the central monastic body on running meat stalls is lifted now, Choki Gyeltshen said.

The basement consisting of about 16 units has been leased to a single person now.

A minimum of Nu 15,000 a month is charged for the whole vegetable complex, whereas the meat stalls will be paying Nu 10,000 to Nu 12,000 a month.

Another vendor, Nasir, said he wouldn’t move to the new basement as people frequent the old market.

“We would be thankful if we are allowed to stay here,” he said.

The deputy director of the Phuentsholing City Corporation, R.S. Tamang, said there was only a tacit understanding that the vendors dealing with vegetables would be provided appropriate site in the new building.

“But, things have completely changed after the construction of the building. It is a commercial building now. We thought the Dratshang Lhentsog would run and manage the building earlier,” he said.

The Corporation cannot force vendors to move to the basement of the new building, he said. 

PCC, however, has plans to shift the present vegetable market to the existing truck parking area. But an alternative site needs to be found for the truck parking area.

“There is no vacant land,” said the thrompon, Kinzang Norbu.

The existing vegetable market is crammed during the export seasons.  When it rains, except for a tarpaulin sheet to protect the vegetables, customers are drenched here and the place becomes muddy.

There are 44 sheds at the existing market. Another three sheds in the open area can accommodate 36 vendors especially villagers coming with local produce.