Odd-even system extended in 12 Chandigarh markets for 10 days

Chandigarh, August 24

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The UT Administration today extended the odd-even system of opening of shops in 12 congested markets of the city for a period of another 10 days.

In an order, UT Adviser Manoj Parida said the shops that were already following the odd-even system in 12 congested markets would continue to follow the same from August 25 to September 3.

The affected markets

Krishna Market, Sector 41; market area near old PNB /Bihari Garment, Burail Chowk; Shastri Market, Sector 22; Patel Market, Sector 15; Sector 8 internal market; Azad Market, Sector 20; Palace Market, Sector 20; Booth Market, Sector 21; Palika Bazaar, Sector 19; Sadar Market, Sector 19; Janta Market, Sector 27, and Electronic Market, Sector 18.

The scooter repair market in Sector 43 would remain closed on Sundays, he said.

He said the basements of SCOs 1010-11, 1030-31, 1004 and 1003-4 of the Sector 22 mobile market would also remained closed for another 10 days.

The rest of the buildings, where chambers or cabins are located, would open on odd-even basis as per the plan finalised by the local SDMs in consultation with the owners of the shops, the order stated.

Shopkeepers resent decision

Expressing resentment over continuation of the odd-even system, members of various market associations demanded that the UT Administration should revoke the decision as it would not serve any purpose. In a joint statement, presidents of various market associations, including Palika Market president Naresh Jain, Krishna Market president Sunil Jain, Shatri Market president Jasminder Singh, Sadar Bazaar, Sector 19, president Narinder Singh, and Sector 15 market president Sanjeev Kumar said they were opening their shops for 2-3 days in a week as the Administration had also imposed the weekend lockdown.

Violation of order

Several shopkeepers in Patel Market, Sector 15, opened their shops in violation of the odd-even formula. A shopkeeper said the lockdown had ruined their business and they were hardly able to meet their expenses. Market Association president Sanjeev Kumar said a few shopkeepers opened their shops as confusion prevailed over opening of shops on odd-even basis after two days of the weekend lockdown. Later, the shopkeepers downed their shutters, he added. — TNS