Traders demand stimulus package

Patiala, April 23

The Punjab Pradesh Veopar Mandal has sought a special stimulus package to reboot industries, which have been lying shut for over a month due to the nation-wide lockdown in the wake of the Covid-19.

Recently, the government allowed industrialists to open their units, but majority of small businessmen failed to resume work.

Patiala chief of the Punjab Pradesh Veopar Mandal, Rakesh Gupta, said the government should release stimulus package for small traders. “Businessmen are facing massive loss, which cannot be recovered within a year. The government should come up with a relief package for traders.” Amrinder Singh Bazaz, former Mayor, said paying salary to workers in current circumstances is a daunting task.

“Businessmen are concerned about paying salary. Industrialists have lost their income, bu they are expected to pay employees.”

He said the government needs to come up with people- friendly policies. “Electricity bills and property tax are constant. The Central Government should reduce interest rates,” he said. — TNS