NEW DELHI: As DDMA’s order hasn’t specified which types of shops will be allowed to open during the weekend curfew, traders’ associations have circulated messages for keeping shops selling non-essential items closed during the weekend.
The traders claimed that the administration should have given clarity to avoid confusion. They also expressed unhappiness with the government’s decision and stated that with the odd-even drive in force during weekdays, a shopkeeper could barely open his shop for two days on average each week and 10 days in a month once weekend curfew was implemented.
“On one hand, the government is increasing minimum wages for workers, giving no relaxation in payment of electricity bills and rent, and on the other hand it is not letting traders run their business properly. We can’t even delay filing of GST else penalty will be imposed. We have invested all our savings in businesses in the past two years. Both the central and Delhi governments have not thought about announcing any packages to give us relief,” said Nitin Gupta, president of Kamla Nagar Traders’ Association.
Gupta added, “The authorities should check the real reason for crowding in markets. In our market, five shops were sealed and 15 were issued challans last week. But after a few days, the situation became the same and the pavements were flooded with hawkers.”
Ashok Randhawa of Mini Market Traders’ Association, Sarojini Nagar, said they were waiting for clarity, but the decision would lead to huge losses as they made maximum sales on weekends.
Atul Bhargava, president of New Delhi Traders’ Association, said they had suggested to the administration to change the timings of offices (9am to 4pm) and shops (from 12pm to 7pm) to avoid congestion in markets, public places and transport. “No one seems to be bothered about our concerns. Delhi government should have consulted representatives of major markets and taken suggestions for effective practical solutions before announcing the weekend curfew,” he added.
