If shutting shops, close online business, too: Traders tell Maharashtra govt

Closed shops outside Dadar station. The BMC also removed all hawkers from the market as part of the ‘Break the Chain’ drive. Pic/Ashish Raje

The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) has put forth a list of suggestions to the government, which is mulling a fresh lockdown. The suggestions include letting shops operate on alternate days, waiving off taxes and shutting down e-commerce of non-essential items along with shops selling them to prevent discrimination.

Viren Shah, FRTWA president

"We have learnt that in all-party online meetings, Maharashtra government has decided to call a task force meet and discuss the possibilities of a comprehensive package to the affected people during lockdown. It will be decided in the next two to three days. We understand that this decision is going to be taken for the safety of people. At the same time, the Maharashtra government will have to ensure that it should not ‘break the backbone' of shopkeepers, traders, staff and workers of Maharashtra," said FRTWA president Viren Shah.

"If the government is going for a complete lockdown of eight days or more, then they have to look into the issues of salary to staff, rent of premises, taxes, electricity invoice (Maharashtra govt taxes), property taxes, license fees waivers, loans interest waivers during the closure. Essential shops offline and online should be open during all times. If a complete lockdown is declared, then both non-essential offline (shops) and also online (e-commerce) should be closed," he added.

"If possible, the government should allow shops selling non-essential items to function on alternate days (odd-even formula) with limited staff. They should operate for at least 15 days a month. Standalone stores where crowds can be controlled should be allowed to remain open," he suggested.