Thiruvananthapuram: The
state government will distribute Rs 10,000 each to
22 Kashmiri families engaged in
handicrafts’ trade in
Kovalam as a relief to the traders whose business has been affected by the spread of
Covid-19.
The amount will be disbursed from Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. The government has taken the decision based on a report submitted by district collector. An order issued by department of revenue has also directed civil supplies director to take steps to allot ration cards for 22 Kashmiri families.
The decision has, however, left a major group of Kashmiri traders disappointed. Around 150 traders who rented out shops and did business in Kovalam for the last few years returned to their home state after they ran into huge debts and lost business due to lockdown. “We are not aware about this relief of Rs 10,000. We were not able to meet the district collector when we were in Thiruvananthapuram. I really hope the government aid reaches the people who are in dire need of some kind of support,” said Muzafar Ahamed Makhdoomi, who is also the president of Kashmiri handicrafts traders’ welfare association.
He said many of the Kashmiri traders are neck deep in debts. “We got back to our homes safely; however, some of us are being forced to look for daily-wage labour here. Others are trying to take up jobs of sales boys in shops here. Without some financial help, we can’t resume our business in Kerala. We had done everything we could to present our grievances to the authorities concerned, however we were not able to meet any of them,” he said. The traders said some of them vacated shops in Kovalam temporarily. Some of the local land owners have been lenient to the traders as they have relaxed the rent.