Aurangabad, April 6:
The business fraternity today expressed their disappointment against the declaration of partial lockdown by the state government. They claimed it is a total lockdown in the name of Break the Chain. The district administration has misled them. Closing of the shops for 25 days at a stretch would break the lives of the fraternity, they underlined.
The business fraternity was relieved on Monday thinking it as a partial lockdown. However, the fraternity was surprised when reading the newspaper today morning. They claimed that the decision has been revised late at night. Under the name of Break the Chain, the shops other than grocery, medical, bakery, milk centres and sweetmeats, all refrain from opening. The shopkeepers and their staff arrived at the shops, but in fear of action against them did not dare to their establishments. The shops in commercial areas on Jalna Road, Gulmandi, Paithan Gate, Tilak Path, Sarafa Bazaar, Shahgunj, Cidco, Hudco, Garkheda, Shivajinagar, Beed Bypass etc remained closed during the whole day.
An air of disappointment prevailed amongst the business fraternity. The Zilla Vyapari Mahsangh office-bearers were receiving inquiry calls, but they convinced all of them not to violate the orders as their talks in this regard is going on at the state government level and with the district administration is underway.
The traders, however, could not resist their emotions. They vent out their anger by sending and circulating messages against the district administration's order on social media during the whole day. They claimed it as 'Break of the Economy' or 'Break of the Life'. The fraternity also underlined that the rush in the cement, hardware, accessories, electronics, saloon, cloth stores, photo studio etc shops is less compare to the shops which are permitted to remain open during the lockdown period.
Meanwhile, the president of Zilla Vyapari Mahasangh, Jaganath Kale, has insisted the city public representatives, represent their voice to the chief minister. Their demand is that all the shops should be allowed to do their business from 8 am to 6 pm and then implement the strict lockdown during the evening hours. This would help in maintaining the business as well as control the spread of Coronavirus. Kale underlined under the name of Break the Chain it is lockdown of 25 days. It will create a severe impact on the lives of retailers and medium traders. They will sustain financial losses. The ratio of unemployment will increase. Hence the lockdown should be cancelled immediately. The president of Marathwada Chamber, Praful Malani and Mahasangh's secretary Laxminarayan Rathi were also present on the occasion.