Port Blair, Sept 7: Resumption of business activities for fish and vegetable vendors under unlock-4.0 has failed to restore their economic status due to forced closure of shops early in the evening. Following guidelines for unlock 4.0 issued by the Govt. of India, the UT administration granted several relaxations to boost trade and economy. In his order No- 938 dated 31st August, the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman allowed all shops and markets to function from 0830 hours to 1830 hours up till 30-09-2020. The unlock 4.0 has been a great relief for many especially the daily wagers, fish and vegetable vendors and auto rickshaw operators. But the time line fixed for their functioning has many difficulties. Despite resumption of business, fish and vegetable vendors are unable to earn anything as they are forced to close their shops at 1830 hours which is the peak hour for their business. In fact most of their stock goes waste as they don’t find customers for sale by 6.30 pm.
To avoid rush, most of the people avoid coming out in morning hours and prefer to do marketing in evening. Office going people don’t do marketing because many are not allowed during office hours and rest having storage issues. Hence they too prefer to do marketing after office hours i.e. after 5.30 PM. By the time all these people come to market for veggies and fish, police personnel knock the head of fish/vegetable vendor to close the shop. As such neither the purchaser is getting its requisites nor vendors are earning anything.
As such fish and vegetable vendors are demanding an extension of the upper time limit for keeping their shop open from 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM. Many are in favour of closing shops during afternoon hours because they hardly find any customers from 12 Noon to 3 PM. Administration may like to give a thought to the demand of vendors.
Meanwhile, the people of the islands have hailed the Deputy Commissioner (SA) for extending relaxations in the lockdown after taking charge as the new Deputy Commissioner (SA). His efforts to interact with the people, hear their issues and problems and accordingly try hard to resolve their issues have also been appreciated by the people at large. People have also welcomed his efforts not to impose weekend lockdown.
Courtesy: The Andaman Express
