The major trade bodies of Jammu have strongly opposed the decision of the J&K UT Administration with regard to 50 % closure of the markets on alternative days, stating that it has created confusion among the people and also caused inconvenience to the general public.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Administration to review its decision pertaining to opening of 50 percent shops on alternate days besides the restriction on the timings fixed for their functioning.
During a meeting of the Chamber held today under the chairmanship of Arun Gupta, president CCI along with office bearers and representatives of various markets’ associations, the Chamber regretted that the Administration did not consider the suggestions provided by the CCI in consultation with various Bazars/ Market Associations while taking up the matter with Divisional Commissioner, Dy Commissioner Jammu and telephonically with the Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Nitishwar Singh, prior to the announcement of the aforesaid SOPs.
The CCI believes that the schedule formulated by the Administration in this regard in causing too much inconvenience to both the trading community as well as the people at large and needs to be immediately replaced by a balanced one prepared only after considering all the aspects of the current crisis situation.
The Jammu Chmaber president informed that the business community expressed grave concern over the ‘inconvenient’ schedule announced by the Government for their working. He said that all the associations and federations in unison demanded the change in the SOPs regarding the timings of the business establishments.
Gupta said that the constituent bodies of Chamber of Commerce and Industries demanded that the shops and other establishments should be allowed to work daily from 10 AM to 6 PM with a two-day weekend lockdown on Saturday and Sunday. Moreover, there should be no restrictions on business ventures and traders whose working commences after seven in the evening. He said that this would ensure less crowding at these establishments especially in view of the ongoing marriage season. He said that the opening of business establishments on alternate days have been causing great harassment to the consumers. He said that in view of the marriage season having commenced, the people especially those having marriage functions in their families are highly perturbed over this schedule which needs an immediate review.
“It is a fact that the nation including this Union Territory is going through an unprecedented crisis in which safety and security of individuals has to be accorded top priority, but the decisions taken in this direction need to be balanced so that there is least inconvenience to the common people. Only two days’ weekend lockdown will ensure the breaking of the chain of fast virus spread,” CCI president claimed.
Federation of Traders Association J&K and Ladakh president, Neeraj Anand said no doubt their association fully supports UT Administration in taking measures for the welfare of the general public in view of growing Covid-19 crisis, but not happy with the decision of 50 % market opening on alternative days as it has created confusion among the masses. He said the marriage seasons has begun and people are facing inconvenience.
Anand said there are some markets in Jammu which totally deals in single stuff/product like booksellers, grocery, goldsmiths, Link Road Cloth market etc. Keeping entire market closed on particular day will cause great inconvenience to the people. The Government must review its decision. He regretted that stakeholders were not taken into confidence before announcing such a decision. They should allow markets/ shops opened on split basis, allowing all type of shops opened every day, Anand suggested.
Deepak Gupta, president Ware House/ Nehru Market Traders Association said that they have voluntarily declared to close their markets along with Kanand Mandi Wholesale Market on Saturday-Sunday in view of growing Covid crisis. But the Association does not support Administration’s decision of opening 50 % shops on alternative days as it was not in favour of general public and traders. It has rather added to the confusion among the general public. Gupta said that Administration should review its decision. If they want to go for three days lock down and three days opening of markets, can go ahead, but it must review its decision, he added.
