Restrictions on shops lifted makes Traders happy, says Sharad Pawar magic worked

Last week meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar paid off, most of traders demands fulfilled 

@vipulbv

Mumbai: After meeting Nationalist Congress Party NCP supremo Sharad Pawar traders voice was heard and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) lifted P1/P2 formula of shop opening and from August 5 all shops be it stand alone or in malls and market area can work from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. Traders association welcomed this decision terming as boost to economy.

The BMC in a circular issued on August 3 allowed shops in Mumbai to stay open on all days of the week and on both sides of the road in its revised guidelines issued for easing of restrictions and phase wise unlock which was imposed to prevent the outbreak of covid-19 in the city.

The circular also stated that malls and market complexes will also be operational from 9am-7 pm with effect from August 5 onwards barring theatres, food courts and restaurants. However kitchen of restaurants and food courts will be allowed to operate in a mall wherein only home delivery through aggregators will be allowed.

While outdoor non team sports like golf courses and outdoor tennis are being allowed as well with physical distancing and sanitation measures with effect from August 5, swimming pools will not be allowed to operate. 

Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) president Viren Shah welcomed the decision and said to thenews21 that I had met Aditya Thackeray almost 20 days back in presence of municipal commissioner for trader’s issue. We thank Municipal Commissioner of MCGM and Aditya Thackeray for understanding the shopkeeper’s issue. We were following up with this matter since last 20 days to allow shops to remain open on all days on both sides from August. There are more than 3 lakhs shops are there in Mumbai and now they will have a sigh of relief that shops can be opened everyday on both sides. We will continue our efforts for rest of Maharashtra our trader’s members to request the Chief Minister to allow shops to remain open across Maharashtra on both sides all 7 days. We have told all shopkeepers to maintain social distance and use sanitation and take all precaution prescribed by MCGM in shops. 

Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM) senior vice president Jitendra Shah told thenews21 that, Traders were very frustrated and wanted to agitate and as a last chance we met Sharad Pawar with the help of Raj Purohit. He assured us that our demands will be looked after. His magic worked most of our demands regarding standalone shops and mall and market shops are accepted. Other demands may take tine but we trust him. Now traders will be able to make up for losses in lockdown in ensuing festival season.