Hairdressers rue loss of income, rising debt

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 22

“With no income for the past two months, all my savings have been exhausted and the struggle for survival has become harsh”, says Raj, who runs a small barber shop in Chakker in the outskirts of Shimla town.

The only earning hand in the family, Raj shifted to Shimla in search of livelihood six years back, started a shop and got married. “I am unable to send money to my aged parents living in village in Kona (Haldra) in Kangra, who are totally dependent on me as the village farmland is lying barren and wild animals have created havoc in the region,” he said.

“Corona ka rona hai sahib, koi aamdani nahin hai, dendaari bad rahi hai”, (Sir, Corona has made us cry as there is no income and financial liabilities are mounting). He adds that the monthly rent (home and shop) is Rs 7,000, which is unpaid for the past two months.

This is not a lone case and those associated with salons and beauty parlors are unable make both ends meet as their shops are still shut and there is no business at all. “With no source of income, the situation is turning from bad to worse”, says Rashmi, who runs a beauty parlor along with her husband in New Shimla.

“The monthly rent of the shop is Rs 35,000 and I am also paying salaries to three workers. My kids are studying in Mumbai and Chandigarh and I have to pay their fees and meet other expenses but the only source of income has been snatched and uncertainty looms large,” she says.

Rajesh Gangotra, president of Hairdresser and Beauty parlor Association, Shimla, says that over 500 persons are engaged in the trade in Shimla town while the number is above 4,000 in the district as there are a large number of small time hair dressers who were earning by cutting hair in open or going door to door.

Most of people engaged in this trade are finding it difficult to survive. The district administration has given assurance that shops would be allowed to open soon with some riders like disposal sheets, gloves masks, sanitisation and social distancing norm, he said adding that a hairdresser cannot charge more than Rs 80 while the cost of inputs would be over Rs 50. Under these circumstances, the government should provide some relief.