Traders want spacious Sec 17 market opened
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 6
With their shops closed, traders in Sector 17 are facing problems and have demanded that they be allowed to operate the way establishments in sector markets are running.
“We have fixed liabilities of employees’ salaries and expenses like household, electricity bills for office, bank loans, office rent as well house and property tax,” said Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, president, Chandigarh Traders Association, Sector 17.
Maintaining social distancing would not be a problem, keeping in view the vast open space and spacious showrooms, if the market was opened, he said. “We urge the Prime Minister to waive the interest on all types of loan for up to six months and a special package for middle-class traders for their expenses,” he added.
“I don’t see much harm in allowing opening of shops in Sector 17 on odd-even basis. It has plenty of open space as compared to other sector markets. Keep eating joints shut for a few more days as these witness rush,” Prem Garg, president of the city unit of AAP.
UT Adviser Manoj Parida said the Sector 17 market could not be opened because the Ministry of Home Affairs did not allow market complexes to open. He said they were reviewing the situation on daily basis, adding that not only Sector 17, but other markets in the city would be opened in a phased manner.
