Traders association on Wednesday met with district Magistrate Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and discussed various issues including opening of markets outside the containment zone.
Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that they can allow opening of markets outside containment zones if people will follow sops strictly.
He said that he isn’t of the view that without any reason he will order for closure of the market, however when a bulk of cases are found from an area, we are forced to enforce restrictions.
District Srinagar has been categorized as Red Zone District and activities as notified in State Executive Committee order dated 7 June 2020 can only be allowed; we held wide ranging consultations with trade and business organizations thereafter allowing opening of grocery shops w.e.f June 1, in addition to fruit, vegetable and other essentials. Industry, handloom & handicrafts, workshops and e-commerce were also allowed among a dozen odd activities, further home delivery by restaurants and opening of hotels etc. was notified on 8 June as per SEC norms”.
He added that the order issued for the UT clearly states that Shops including Bazars and Markets are allowed to open in Orange Zones and Green Zone districts while only Malls with 50% shops to open in Red Zone with specific precautionary preconditions.
Dr Choudhary further said that, “Despite this we were actively working with business organizations for working out implementable solutions keeping in mind mandatory measures required for COVID containment, still a trade organization announced opening of markets in disregard to the SEC order which at Serial Number 25 allows this for Orange Zone districts only”.
He pitched for working collectively for continuing the fight against pandemic and striking balance with economic revival and sustaining livelihood but chances like this cannot be taken at this stage.
Dr Choudhary said that trade organizations have been asked to come up with firm plans reassuring not only administration but general public for safety measures to be adopted.
“In view of the rising number of cases and 99 containment zones already existing in Srinagar, we need to be extra cautious, he said, adding that despite multiple repeated advisories it’s not a good sign to see pictures of large crowds coming up every day. A mature societal response is needed at this hour with all stakeholders acting in unison,” he said.
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