PUNE: The Federation of Traders’ Association Pune (FTAP) organised a protest on Tuesday, demanding extension of business hours.
They said that various restrictions imposed by the authorities have forced them to incur heavy losses.
Traders gathered at different locations, including Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, Ferguson Road, Ganesh Peth, Bohri Ali, Shivaji Road, Timber Market, Karve Road, Sinhagad Road, among other areas, rang bells in a symbolic gesture to wake up the government to the plight of businessowners inconvenienced by ‘illogical’ and ‘inconvenient’ shop timings.
The shop owners said they would keep their shutters open from 11am to 7pm from Wednesday despite having received no permission from the civic authorities.
“The demonstration was carried out at 27 locations across the city. Our intention was not to gather crowds, but to peacefully and safely draw attention to our concerns and demands. In Mumbai, orders were given for extension of timings of non-essential shops and restaurants on Monday. Why no such steps have been taken for Pune? Though we have still not received any intimation from the civic authorities about relaxations of timings, we will go ahead with our plan to keep our shutters open from 11am to 7pm from Wednesday,” said Mahendra Pitalia, secretary, FTAP.
The largest gathering was held at Good Luck Chowk, FC Road, with over 50 members of United Hospitality Association holding placards to save the sector from financial collapse. “The restaurant industry requires a dual slot system. We should be allowed to operate from noon to 3pm and from 6pm to 11.30pm. If the authorities cannot allow it, we request the government to relieve us from the financial burden of accumulating expenses, such as excise fees, electricity bills, water and property taxes,” said Sandeep Narang, the association president.
