Kohima shops told to repaint shutters by Nov 30 for KCCI golden jubilee

Shopkeepers in Kohima have been asked to repaint their shutters by November 30 as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), The Morung Express reported on Sunday.

In a notice, the chamber directed all shops within the Kohima Municipal Area to complete the work before the deadline. It also told shop owners to keep their signboards clean and in good repair, and to fit LED lighting on signboards or shopfronts. KCCI officials will check whether traders have complied, the notice said.

Discount on paint

To keep the cost down for traders, the KCCI said it had tied up with British Paints, which is offering a 40 per cent discount on its Ultra White paint for shops taking up the repainting. The offer is valid until November 30, the same date as the deadline.

Shop owners must show either a trade licence or a KCCI registration certificate to get the discount. The chamber listed three authorised outlets where the offer can be used: Solo Hardware at High School Junction, Asiatic Technology in Main Town and Smart Paint at Mohonkhola.

The KCCI advised traders to buy the paint early so they have enough time to finish before the end of the month. Those with questions can contact any KCCI official at the chamber's office opposite the NST parking lot in Main Town, the notice said.

What it means for traders

The directive covers every shop in the municipal area, including the busy Main Town and High School Junction areas. A uniform coat of white on shutters, along with lit signboards, appears aimed at giving the capital's commercial streets a cleaner and brighter look during the jubilee year.

The notice did not say what action, if any, would be taken against shops that miss the deadline, or whether the chamber's monitoring would be followed by any penalty. It also did not give dates for the main jubilee events.

Kohima will also host the Hornbill Festival at Kisama from the first week of December, when visitor numbers in the capital usually rise sharply, though the KCCI notice did not link the drive to the festival.

NEInsider will update this story if the KCCI or the Kohima Municipal Council issues further instructions or a programme for the golden jubilee.