Traders seek permission for mass self-immolation

Aurangabad, April 7:

The trading community has run out of patience due to continuous lockdowns. Hence, through a memorandum to the district collector, the traders demanded that either they get permission to open the shop or allow traders to commit mass self-immolation.

Wednesday was the second day of the state government's 'Break the Chain'. There has been a wave of outrage among traders against the 25-day lockdown. Various traders organisations have strongly opposed the lockdown. On Wednesday afternoon, senior vice-president of the Maharashtra state committee of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Ajay Shah, president of Marathwada Chamber of Commerce Praful Malani, president of Jilha Vyapari Mahasangh Jagannath Kale, Laxminarayan Rathi, Vijay Jaiswal and others went to the district collector office and gave memorandum. In the memorandum, the traders said a four-month lockdown last year was followed by a 10-day lockdown in the city. The traders suffered huge financial losses. Most merchants today are in debt. The central and state governments did not announce any financial package for traders. However, traders paid income tax and GST, corporation property tax, increased light bills, rent, and staff salaries. No employees were fired during this period. Now again, a 25-day lockdown has come into force. This has deteriorated the mental and financial condition of traders. The government should permit the opening of all shops or allow mass self-immolation, the statement said.

Will follow weekend lockdown

The first order issued by the state government mentioned lockdown on weekends (Saturday, Sunday). A partial lockdown is acceptable to traders. But we will continue to oppose the 25-day complete lockdown, said Kale.

The Pragati Traders Association of Cidco N5 and N6 staged a human chain agitation on the main road of Avishkar Colony in the morning. Traders stood in front of their closed shops and strongly opposed the lockdown decision. Traders also protested, carrying black placards in their hands that read protest against the lockdown.