The People's Committee of Di Linh District in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong last week issued an ordinance that forbade the district's public officials to shop at the old Di Linh Market.

The new market.

The ordinance even went so far as to order that departments must assign officials and take turns to watch the local market. Other officials who were found shopping there risk being reported and quite possibly, disciplinary actions taken against them by the committee.

The reason behind the committee ordinance was to boost commercial activities in the new Di Linh Market, which was opened for businesses since November 1.

Many local shop owners and other businesses, however, did not find the new market appealing. They complained that the rent was too high, the location was not as good compared to the old one and refused to move. Nearly 300 official complaints were logged during the process of moving to the new market.

The committee maintained their stance that the old market was too run down and could no longer meet safety and hygiene standards. Moving to the new market is therefore mandatory and part of the locality's long-term economic development plan.

It is understandable that the local authority and shop owners may not agree in regards to moving to the new market. However, it was perhaps too extreme of the committee to take such a drastic measure.

VNS