Mumbai: Traders demand âflexitimeâ for all non-essential shops
3 lakh non-essential shops impact livelihood of 15 lakh families
Traders are not happy with the Maharashtra governmentâs order of allowing non-essential shops to function on alternate days. Tradersâ bodies including Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association, Steel Users Federation of India, Federation of Associations of Maharashtra and The Mumbai Grain Dealers Association have urged the state government to introduce flexibility in timing and remove alternate day formula for non-essential shops.
They have said the first day first show was a flop with poor entry of customers amid confusion over timing and alternate day formula.
Easing restrictions in place to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission in Mumbai, the BMC on Monday allowed essential businesses to remain open between 7 am and 2 pm on all days of the week.
The traders have written to the chief minister demanding the opening of manufacturing units, retail and wholesale outlets and other establishments that have remained closed for nearly two months after the state government imposed a lockdown following the second wave of coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 curbs: Bombay HC seeks reply of state, BMC on reliefs for traders
Covid-19 curbs: Bombay HC seeks reply of state, BMC on reliefs for traders
The court s directive came on a plea filed by a traders body, which stated that the lockdown has led to heavy losses and financial instability and mass unemployment in the retail sector dealing in non-essential items.
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The court will next hear the petition on June 21. (File)
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file a reply on what help they are providing to the retail traders whose shops have been shut due to the coronavirus-induced curbs in the state.