Traders irked by reimposition of lockdown

Were looking forward to recover losses due to Covid this Eid; seek govt plan to revive economy

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 23

The reimposition of the lockdown on Thursday has irked the traders’ fraternity that was looking forward to recover lockdown losses ahead of Eid being celebrated on August 1. The trade leaders said ‘mere’ closing of shops was not going to control the coronavirus outbreak and that the government should come up with a plan to revive the Valley’s economy hit hard by two successive lockdowns during the past one year.

“The Covid pandemic cannot be controlled by mere closing of shops. While tourists have been given permission to come and several other activities too are permitted, restricting only the traders and shopkeepers to their homes will not curb the pandemic. The government should come up with a plan as to how Kashmir’s economy will revive. First, we were hit by the lockdown for months when Article 370 was abrogated on August 5 last year. This year, we were hit again by the Covid lockdown,” Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) president Ajaz Shahdhar said.

He said the government should ensure implementation of coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) on ground. “Ahead of Eid, most of the shopkeepers had bought various items from outside the state expecting recovery of some losses that we suffered over the past one year. However, as a result of the lockdown, the shopkeepers are now suffering from mental illness. The government should ensure strict implementation of Covid-related SOPs in the markets and we are willing to cooperate. Later, it will be difficult to control the crowds if the lockdown is eased for three days only before Eid,” said Shahdhar.

Yesterday, Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, said the markets would remain open for three days from July 28 to allow Eid shopping.

Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Khan, president, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries, regretted that the business community was not taken on board by the government.

“Why the business community is not taken on board while dwelling upon such stringent measures which are affecting them directly? Why is the outside workforce allowed to enter the Valley? Why is the blame of the spread of positive cases being shifted to locals when the fault lies with the inefficient administration, which has allowed the import of workforce without proper screening? ” Khan said.

Meanwhile, Pole has instructed the district commissioners to open markets in a phased manner with different timings to avoid gatherings during three days of Eid shopping at the end of this month.