Traders’ body opposes odd-even scheme in Delhi markets, calls it absurd

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), has strongly opposed the Delhi government’s move to impose various restrictions in the opening of shops in the markets.

It has expressed its concern over the rising cases of Omicron, however, at the same time, imposing odd-even formula in the Delhi market is not acceptable to the traders under any circumstances.

The traders say that these kinds of measures will not contain the spread of the virus but it will cause huge inconvenience to the people in the state.

CAIT issued a press release in which its secretary-general Praveen Khandelwal said, “The trading community stands with the central and state governments in the war against Omicron and Covid-19 and we welcome the new restrictions imposed by the Kejriwal government in Delhi.”

He added, “Delhi Metro, restaurants, and bars will operate at 50% capacity; Cinema halls, spas, gyms, multiplexes, banquet halls, auditoriums and sports complexes will be closed with immediate effect. But along with these restrictions, it is extremely necessary that the Delhi government, instead of operating the markets on a complete lockdown or on an odd-even system, must come up with ways and means to encourage and motivate people to adopt the Covid-19 safety protocol.”

Khandelwal is of the view that it would be better to take any step by taking the trade associations into confidence and with the support of the government machinery, the trade association should be given the responsibility to cooperate and devise measures to conduct customer screening in a systematic manner by adopting the COVID protocol.

“The shopkeepers have already been advised by CAIT to adopt a “no mask- no sale” policy while dealing with customers. And as per CAT advisory, shopkeepers are using masks as mandated by themselves and their employees,” he said.