We will not comply with new lockdown: Shop owners say ready to bear any consequences to stay functional
PIC: MAHENDRA KOLHE
Shop owners in suburb are at their wits’ end over financial losses of last few months, say business was just recovering amid relaxations; they are ready to bear any consequences to stay functional in Lockdown 6.0, but authorities say rebels will face a crackdown
From July 14 onwards, a stringent 10-day lockdown is to be implemented across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and rural areas adjoiningPune Municipal Corporation (PMC ) limits till July 24, amid the alarming rise in cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19 ) and the inability of the authorities to strike a balance between keeping businesses open in the interest of the economy, and battling the pandemic.
But having borne the loss of business for almost four months since the outbreak was noted and the first lockdown instituted, traders fromNarhe — the closest suburb of Pune — have finally lost their patience.
While expressing their sympathies about the financial duress faced by the business owners, the authorities are firm that such a direct subversion of orders on Lockdown 6.0 would be illegal.
Indicating a deep standoff, on Sunday, the traders’ union of the area appealed to all shop owners to come together and fight for their rights by keeping their stores open, while staying ready to face all possible charges levelled against them by the authorities.
They also mentioned that any attempt to close shops forcefully by the authorities would be opposed by conducting severe protests.
Dinesh alias Mukesh Sharma, who owns a grocery shop in the locality, said, “We are all on the verge of committing suicide due to our huge financial losses. At least 70 per cent of us run businesses on rented premises. Half of us stay in rented rooms. The havoc of the lockdown has destroyed our business. With Unlock 1.0, we somehow tried to get back on track, but this fresh lockdown will devastate us. We are ready to face criminal cases — but we will keep our shops open. Are the authorities giving us any rebate in taxes and instalments? Then how can the stop us from doing business?”
He further claimed, “Even after relaxations, our businesses have not picked up by even 10 per cent. We can restrict opening of shops partially. Fresh lockdowns will not guarantee that cases will reduce, but, they will cause irreparable damage to business activities.”
Similarly, Jagdish Vaishnav, who runs a hosiery shop, said, “I get only five per cent of the business I used to earlier since shops reopened. The income is just about sufficient to pay the electricity bill of the store. I have not yet paid even school fees for my two children and have already borrowed money for monthly expenses from relatives. The fresh lockdown has destroyed all hopes of getting back on track. Now I have decided to go back to Rajasthan. As a last attempt, I will keep my shop open in coming days.”
Describing the impact on his trade, Rakesh Sharma, who runs a dry fruit shop, said, “During the four-month lockdown, 80 per cent of my perishable material crossed its expiry dates, forcing me to throw all the goods into the dustbin. Now, nobody is giving any material as I am unable to pay outstanding amounts. The rent of my shop has already been pending for three months. I am planning to sell vegetables now.” Affected by other ramifications of the lockdown, Vinjaram Patel, who owns an imitation jewellery shop, said, “With restrictions on wedding ceremonies, we have already lost business. My worker has also threatened to leave the job due to no salary for two months. We have no option, but to keep our shops open. We are ready to face whatever the consequences.”
Questioned about this wave of dissent, Nandkishor Shelke, senior inspector attached with Sinhagad Road police station, said, “We sympathise with the traders. But if they keep their shops open against orders from the district administration, then we will have no option but to book them under the relevant laws. Nobody is above the law, so we will arrest the traders. But they also need to understand that nothing is more important than safeguarding one’s life.”
Reasoning with the protesters, district collector Naval Kishore Ram said, “This lockdown is mandated by the state government and ultimately, is in everyone’s best interest. It has been announced to break the chain in the spread of the coronavirus. We are hopeful that the traders will understand the gravity of the situation and withdraw their stand by cooperating with the authorities.
From July 14 onwards, a stringent 10-day lockdown is to be implemented across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and rural areas adjoining
But having borne the loss of business for almost four months since the outbreak was noted and the first lockdown instituted, traders from
Now, they have all decided to rebel against the fresh curfew mandate, which comes weeks after relaxations began to be doled out by the authorities. And so, all 1,500 shop owners across the area have said they will keep their businesses open between 9 am and 8 pm from Tuesday onwards.
Some 1,500 business owners in Narhe have decided to keep their shops open despite the announcement of the stringent lockdown in following days; some said this is their last attempt to revive the business, before they flee the city or even consider suicide, such is their state
While expressing their sympathies about the financial duress faced by the business owners, the authorities are firm that such a direct subversion of orders on Lockdown 6.0 would be illegal.
Indicating a deep standoff, on Sunday, the traders’ union of the area appealed to all shop owners to come together and fight for their rights by keeping their stores open, while staying ready to face all possible charges levelled against them by the authorities.
They also mentioned that any attempt to close shops forcefully by the authorities would be opposed by conducting severe protests.
Dinesh alias Mukesh Sharma, who owns a grocery shop in the locality, said, “We are all on the verge of committing suicide due to our huge financial losses. At least 70 per cent of us run businesses on rented premises. Half of us stay in rented rooms. The havoc of the lockdown has destroyed our business. With Unlock 1.0, we somehow tried to get back on track, but this fresh lockdown will devastate us. We are ready to face criminal cases — but we will keep our shops open. Are the authorities giving us any rebate in taxes and instalments? Then how can the stop us from doing business?”
He further claimed, “Even after relaxations, our businesses have not picked up by even 10 per cent. We can restrict opening of shops partially. Fresh lockdowns will not guarantee that cases will reduce, but, they will cause irreparable damage to business activities.”
Similarly, Jagdish Vaishnav, who runs a hosiery shop, said, “I get only five per cent of the business I used to earlier since shops reopened. The income is just about sufficient to pay the electricity bill of the store. I have not yet paid even school fees for my two children and have already borrowed money for monthly expenses from relatives. The fresh lockdown has destroyed all hopes of getting back on track. Now I have decided to go back to Rajasthan. As a last attempt, I will keep my shop open in coming days.”
Describing the impact on his trade, Rakesh Sharma, who runs a dry fruit shop, said, “During the four-month lockdown, 80 per cent of my perishable material crossed its expiry dates, forcing me to throw all the goods into the dustbin. Now, nobody is giving any material as I am unable to pay outstanding amounts. The rent of my shop has already been pending for three months. I am planning to sell vegetables now.” Affected by other ramifications of the lockdown, Vinjaram Patel, who owns an imitation jewellery shop, said, “With restrictions on wedding ceremonies, we have already lost business. My worker has also threatened to leave the job due to no salary for two months. We have no option, but to keep our shops open. We are ready to face whatever the consequences.”
Questioned about this wave of dissent, Nandkishor Shelke, senior inspector attached with Sinhagad Road police station, said, “We sympathise with the traders. But if they keep their shops open against orders from the district administration, then we will have no option but to book them under the relevant laws. Nobody is above the law, so we will arrest the traders. But they also need to understand that nothing is more important than safeguarding one’s life.”
Reasoning with the protesters, district collector Naval Kishore Ram said, “This lockdown is mandated by the state government and ultimately, is in everyone’s best interest. It has been announced to break the chain in the spread of the coronavirus. We are hopeful that the traders will understand the gravity of the situation and withdraw their stand by cooperating with the authorities.
Recent Messages ()
Please rate before posting your Review
SIGN IN WITH
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.