New Delhi: Expressing concern over the impact of continued Covid curbs on local businesses, traders in the national capital are seeking further relaxation of restrictions, including allowing shops to remain open till 9.30 pm.
Traders' associations of various markets said they are facing increasing losses due to the restrictions. They also questioned the logic behind continuing with the curbs when the pandemic situation has improved in Delhi.
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA), which represents the Connaught Place market in central Delhi, has written to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal seeking relief for local traders.
"We have been receiving many representations from shop owners/shopkeepers that they should be allowed to open shops till 9.30 pm instead of 8 pm. Closing of shops at 8 pm means beginning the closing procedure at 7 pm, losing the prime business timing," the NDTA said in its letter to the LG.
"Given the hundreds of representations on the captioned subject received from shopkeepers, we would request you to please extend the timings of shops till 9.30 pm," it said.
These views were echoed by other trade associations in Delhi.
Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Trade Association, said it must be the choice of shop owners whether they want to keep the shops open or not.
"As everything has been normalised, the timing (for closing shops) should also be normalised. It must be the choice of the shop owners whether they want to keep the shops open or not. We want the restrictions to go," he said.
"We are saying that strict guidelines like wearing masks should also be relaxed in some way," he added.
Sarojini Nagar Traders' Association president Ashok Randhawa expressed frustration over the increased losses for shopkeepers.
"We are saying for a long time that the timings should be extended. We have been facing losses because of these rules. The timing (for closing) of shops is 8 (pm) and we have to start the closing process by 7 (pm)," Randhawa said.