Don't let Vinh market traders alone in trouble

(Baonghean) -Faced with the heavy losses of Vinh market traders due to the impact of the tropical depression, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh and Provincial People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Xuan Duong directly came to encourage people and urgently directed the work of overcoming the consequences with the spirit of not leaving Vinh market traders alone in the disaster.

» Provincial Secretary and Chairman visits Vinh market traders

The Provincial Party Secretary and the People's Committee Chairman listened to the opinions of Vinh market traders. Photo: Thanh Duy

Unprecedented damage

Vinh Market, 2 days after the heavy rain. No longer bustling with buyers and sellers, nor bustling with the sounds of the province's largest shopping mall; instead, the atmosphere was filled with sadness and sorrow.

At the time the provincial delegation arrived, some stalls in the main temple were preparing to reopen to welcome customers, but most of the stalls in the western and eastern temple areas of the market were still in disarray. Although the water had receded a lot compared to the previous days, it was still up to the calves.

The makeshift tents, tilted by the constant pouring rain, could not provide much protection for the few goods salvaged after the disaster.

Checking the market entrances, the provincial working group directly met and listened to the thoughts and aspirations of the traders. With bloodshot eyes and a hoarse voice, Ms. Ngo Thi Thuan (86 years old), who has been selling votive offerings for ten years, could not contain her emotions when talking to the provincial Party Secretaries and Chairmen.

She said that not only her stall but also hundreds of other stalls selling many items such as votive offerings, dried foods, and other goods, all suffered great losses.

When they heard the news that the market was flooded, most of the small traders mobilized their brothers and relatives to transport their goods, but it was too late. Many small traders helplessly watched as billions of dong were swept away by the floodwaters overnight.

Holding hands with provincial leaders, Ms. Thuan expressed her wish to have a tax exemption policy for small traders who suffered losses, partly sharing and encouraging households to overcome difficulties.

Sharing the same sentiment and expectation is the small trader Hoang Thi Huong - who sells la gim products at the communal house on the west side of the market. Her trading area was flooded from 1.3 to 1.5 meters, causing 100% damage.

Representing traders in the la gim industry, Ms. Huong and many other households proposed to quickly upgrade the market and raise the ground in low-lying areas so that households can trade with peace of mind...

Taxes and fees will be exempted.

Immediately after surveying the scene and listening to the people's concerns, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh and Provincial People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Xuan Duong held a "hot" meeting right at the headquarters of Vinh Market Management Board, with the participation of provincial departments and branches, Vinh City leaders and representatives of small traders.

The meeting opened directly and focused on the direction of the Provincial Party Secretary: The urgent thing to do right away is to focus on cleaning up to ensure the environment, creating conditions for people to quickly return to business.

Regarding the issue of upgrading Vinh market, which is currently stuck in the fire prevention and fighting assessment, the Provincial Party Secretary requested the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to direct the completion of procedures in October; at the same time, assign the City Party Secretary and Chairman of the Vinh City People's Committee to promptly implement the market upgrade.

Rice, paddy, food items such as eggs, seafood of Vinh market traders... were all badly damaged when the water receded. Photo: Archive

Assessing this as a historic flood at Vinh market, the Provincial Party Secretary requested to seriously clarify the cause in order to have long-term preventive measures because "if we do not know the cause, we cannot prevent the next time".

Particularly sympathizing and sharing deeply with the enormous losses of Vinh market traders, the Provincial Party Secretary proposed to study and have policies to support taxes and fees; review the borrowing needs of traders; if there are difficulties in borrowing, the province will consult with the bank.

The Provincial Party Secretary also requested the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and leaders of Vinh City to study the resources of the province and city to support small traders.

"Must be democratic, public, clear and transparent" is the direction of the Provincial People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Xuan Duong on the issue of support for small traders.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: For specific support, the Provincial Tax Department must direct the Vinh City Tax Department to assign tax officers to directly notify and guide small traders to apply for tax exemption and reduction in accordance with regulations and have a response within October.

At the same time, propaganda work must be done well so that small traders can feel secure and soon stabilize their business. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also requested the representative of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee to base on the support from other localities, individuals and businesses to provide some support to small traders at Vinh market.

At the same time, immediately after basically overcoming the damage and bringing business activities back to normal, the Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee must organize a meeting with the Vinh Market Management Board and Hong Son Ward, the locality where the market is located, to find the cause, seriously learn from the experience and handle the responsibilities of related organizations and individuals if it is necessary to handle.

On the other hand, the Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee needs to invite relevant departments and branches to discuss the approval and implementation of market upgrading as soon as possible.

Receiving the direction of the provincial leaders, at the meeting, the representative of the provincial Tax Department affirmed that based on the review of the level of damage, there will be a tax exemption or reduction for the affected Vinh market traders. "We will direct the Vinh City Tax Department to directly implement and consider this a key task in October" - the leader of the Nghe An Tax Department affirmed.

Dried bamboo shoots submerged in water. Photo: Archive

At the meeting, Mr. To Thanh Nhan - Head of Vinh Market Management Board also proposed to exempt service fees, specifically rental fees for affected traders; at the same time, he said that he would coordinate with the tax department to quickly complete procedures for people.

Supporting the affected traders is also the spirit that Vinh City People's Committee Chairman Nguyen Hoai An affirmed at the meeting. He said that he will carry out a comprehensive study on an effective drainage plan for Vinh market. Regarding the market upgrade, Vinh City People's Committee Chairman promised to complete the procedures this October for early implementation.

At the end of the "hot" meeting, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong emphasized the spirit of companionship and support to encourage the small traders at Vinh market who suffered losses: "Time is now very precious, local leaders, related sectors and Vinh Market Management Board must consider this as the key task at this time to help people stabilize their lives soon" - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee noted.

Thanh Duy