They ordered the dismantling of about two dozen stalls in the market to provide space to make a stage for the programme. The traders of the market were informed that they would be getting a good building for their shops very soon. They had to lose their shops and daily business for three days consequently.

The traders’ committee, namely, Ulubari Bazar Committee, a registered NGO, demanding better environment for business since its inception in 1971, was assured several times about getting a super market in the year 1980 with funds provided by Hudco and then again in the year 2007, it was proposed to be constructed with the funds available from Asian Development Bank (ADB); all such promises were but an illusion. This time also the traders are not sure, but the promptness of the authorities looking into the future prospects of the ruling party proved to be a ‘surprise’. It was announced that the Chief Minister would lay the foundation stone at 11 a.m. on 5th March. In the evening of March 4th, the news came in that the Election Commission was going to announce election dates at 10.30 a.m. on 5th March. The situation was embarrassing for the authorities, but they conveniently managed to advance the programme to 9.30 a.m.

It was a surprise for the traders and local people when they heard that the foundation stones for the four municipal markets were to be laid at the same location of Ulubari Bazar, whereas the name of Ulubari Market was missing in the list. The GMC markets for whom the ceremony was held were Ganeshguri, Fatasheel, Rup Nagar and Pub Sarania markets. The pictures of all the four ‘future markets’ were displayed. Except the Ganeshguri market other markets were not informed about the timings and the site where the foundation stone of their markets were to be held.

Interestingly, no stone was used in the ‘foundation stone’ laying ceremony. Thick plastic boards were used in lieu of marble stones. The banner put up at the function displayed the names of dignitaries including the PWD minister, who could not be seen at the stage. Before the local people could know about the official plans and fate of those markets the ceremony was over by 10 a.m. and people could know about the programme only after witnessing the traffic jams on the roads. Was this not a mockery? The people have to decide themselves.

Daya Nath Singh