As cases decline, Chandigarh traders seek extension in shop timings

Chandigarh, May 28

As the UT registered a decline in active Covid-19 cases, traders are now demanding an extension in the timings for opening of shops in the city.

Charanjiv Singh, president, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM), said with a steady decrease in Covid cases, the UT Administration should now increase the shopping hours at least from 9 am to 5 pm to give further push to businesses and much-needed support to the suffering traders of the city.

He also demanded vaccination for staff and family members of the traders of the city on a priority basis by holding special camps and campaigns in markets. Meanwhile, Kamaljit Singh Panchhi, president, Chandigarh Traders’

Association, Sector 17, Chandigarh, said since cases were reducing everyday in Chandigarh, the Administration should decide in a review meeting to open all shops from 9 am to 5 pm and the weekend lockdown might continue.

Charanjiv Singh said the CBM, the apex body of city traders representing 135 markets, was further committed to strengthening all anti-Covid measurers in the markets and other relief measures by the government and the associations.

Diwakar Sahoonja, chief spokesperson, CBM, asked the Administration to keep the CBM in loop in all its future consultations and meetings regarding the revival of economy and policies towards markets.

Charanjiv Singh said the association was already engaged in providing relief to society and also adhering to all anti-virus measures to the best of their capabilities and capacities in their shops and market areas. He assured the Administration of all help all in such campaigns and efforts of the Chandigarh Administration.

He said the CBM was now looking forward to some other relief packages for the losses already incurred, immediate notifications regarding need-based permissions towards commercial building byelaws, including making them freehold and self-assessments of all pending taxation cases.

Panchhi further appealed to the UT Administrator for announcing a relief package for the traders who pay all type of taxes to the government and Rs10 lakh for those traders who lost their lives due to Covid. — TNS