Allow 50% capacity, at gyms, Himachal CM urged

Nurpur, January 11

Gym owners, who had suffered huge financial losses due to lockdowns and curfew imposed during the first and second wave of Covid-19, are again feeling the heat due to the sudden closure of their outlets, as per the orders of the state government. Vinay Bali, vice-president of Himachal Pradesh Gym Association, has appealed to the Chief Minister to allow opening of gyms at 50 per cent capacity, amid strict Covid protocol.

Unable to repay loans

Most of the young entrepreneurs pursuing bodybuilding business have purchased expensive equipment by taking bank loans. The lockdowns after Covid outbreak made their survival very difficult, as they are now unable to pay bank EMIs and rent. — Vinay Bali, Vice-President of Himachal Pradesh GYM Association

Bali said the entrepreneurs, who had raised bank loans for establishing infrastructure, were under debt and had experienced immense financial crisis during the pandemic. “Most of the young entrepreneurs have pursued bodybuilding business by purchasing expensive equipment with the help of bank loans. But lockdowns have made their survival very difficult, as they were not able to pay the bank EMIs and rent,” he lamented. The government should adopt a sympathetic approach towards them, he said.

As per information, over 250 gyms are operating in the state and most of the owners are under debt.

Puneet Verma, president of Himachal Pradesh Gymnasium, questioned that if public transport could be allowed, 50 per cent gathering could be permitted in marriage palaces and banquet halls, why gyms were not allowed to operate with Covid protocol. The state government was promoting self-generated employment avenues but giving them a bitter pill by closing their gyms altogether, he rued.