Traders argue that just like factories and industries, there are thousands of daily wage workers associated with wholesale and retail markets earning their livelihoods by loading and unloading goods on a daily basis and have been denied any work for the past 40 days.
After Delhi government unveiled plans for restricted reopening of the city, traders are unhappy to hear that markets will remain closed.
Traders argue that just like factories and industries, there are thousands of daily wage workers associated with wholesale and retail markets earning their livelihoods by loading and unloading goods on a daily basis and have been denied any work for the past 40 days. Shopkeepers also stated that delay in permission for opening of markets will automatically make it difficult for them to pay salaries of their staff.
“Even if the shops open, customers won’t come all of a sudden. But we can at least transport goods or supply orders to local vendors,” said Devraj Baweja of Sadar Bazar Traders Association.
The Confederation of All India Traders has decided to call a meeting on Saturday and ask the government again to allow operations. CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said that as the positivity rate is about 1.5%, the markets should also have been allowed to open in a phased manner.
The Chamber of Industries of Traders chairman Brijesh Goel said that all decisions regarding opening and closing of activities during lockdown are taken by the DDMA and not the government or CM. “DDMA is chaired by the LG and we will write to him to allow the opening of markets with restrictions,” he said.
Your support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.