Irked shopkeepers protest

KALYAN: More than 80 shopkeepers and traders gathered outside the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) office on Saturday morning to protest against the civic commissioner’s decision to keep non-essential shops shut during the weekends.

Irked by the sudden decision taken by the KDMC, shopkeepers blocked the road outside the KDMC headquarters. They sat down in the middle of the road till 4pm.

After the daylong protest, KDMC has allowed shops to be open on Sunday. However, on Monday they have to remain shut on the occasion of Holi.

The twin cities of Kalyan and Dombivli have been recording more than 800 daily positive cases over the last few days. This has prompted KDMC to announce closing of shops except for essential services during the weekends.

“We understand that the growing number of cases is a concern for the civic authorities. However, we have already faced losses during the lockdown.

Weekends are when we get to earn. If we remain shut, we will face a difficult situation in paying salaries for staff, rent, bills and taxes,” said Ratan Singh, member of the shopkeepers association in Dombivli.

Meanwhile, the KDMC is planning stricter action if cases do not reduce. “We had given restricted timings for shops but many violated the norms, forcing us to fine them. These are reasons the numbers are increasing and we have to announce stricter curbs,” said Vijay Suryavanshi, KDMC chief.

“Instead of making sudden announcements, the civic body can have a meeting with us,” said Pratik Shah, a shopkeeper near Dombivli station.

RISHIKESH CHOUDHARY/HT Shopkeepers protest in Kalyan on Saturday.