Allow us to earn livelihood, daily earners urge govt
Abhinav Vashisht
Kullu, May 24
Daily bread winners and small traders have appealed to the state government to formulate a strategy to allow them to earn their livelihood amid the curfew, which has been extended till May 31. Cobblers, hawkers, rehriwalas, farhiwalas and many other daily earners have been finding it difficult to feed their families due to the loss of business. Workers engaged in selling door-to-door goods have also requested the government to increase the curfew relaxation hours.
The government has exempted construction and agricultural workers from the curfew, but many other daily earners and small traders have been badly affected by the restrictions. Mukesh, a rehriwala, says that the government had provided ration to needy persons during the lockdown last year. This year also, it should provide some relief, as many persons like him have been without work since May 6.
Photographers, providers of dresses, coats and boots, ponywallas and others engaged in tourism-related activities have also been without work in the absence of tourists. Traders dealing in clothes, shoes, electrical equipment, mobile phone repair, computers and similar other businesses have also witnessed a few customers. They say that they should also be allowed to do business. They will ensure that customers wear masks and maintain social distance.
The shopkeepers urge the government to let them earn their livelihood, as they apprehend that the Covid crisis will continue for some more time. They say that while their rent, electricity and other expenses are continuing, they are unable to earn any income because of the curfew.
They add that the government should focus on earmarking micro-containment zones and impose curfew only in Covid hotspots. Relaxation should be provided in areas having moderate or a low number of cases. They also urge the government to provide a special relief package to small and marginal traders.
