Relief for small traders, daily wagers

Satyanarayan Pattnaik | TNN | Apr 21, 2020, 04:37 IST

Koraput: P Satish, owner of an electronics repair shop in Jeypore, was a relaxed man on Monday as he opened his store 26 days after the nation went into lockdown. So was Arjun Bhatra, who ekes out a living by working as a daily labourer with a cement dealer, as he also resumed work.
Like Satish and Arjun, many small traders and daily-wage labourers heaved a sigh of relief as the state government allowed partial relaxation in certain sectors, including agriculture and construction. “I was in great financial difficulty as my shop was shut since March 25. I earn between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 per day and hire two mechanics. Though my income was zero during the lockdown, I still paid my staff and the rent for the shop,” said Satish.
After re-opening his shop, Satish received around 10 customers, who wanted their fans and mixer-grinders to be repaired.
“I was out of work for the past three weeks. All my savings have dried up and I am left with no money. Now, there is some hope with construction work resuming,” Sada Harijan of Kundura block, who does road work.
The relaxation in lockdown helped people carry out minor repair works at home. “I was unable to repair two of my taps due to closure of hardware shops. Now I can fix the leak,” said Balmiki Padhi, a Jeypore resident.