New Delhi, March 21 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has extended support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to observe Janata Curfew on March 22, Sunday.

The traders' body, on Friday, announced that more than 7 crore traders across country will keep their business establishments closed on March 22nd and will participate in Janata Curfew. 

''Nearly 40 crore employees of the traders will also be confined themselves to their homes.  Over 40 thousand business organizations all over the country have been roped in by the CAIT to participate in Janata Curfew. While traders’ organisations from states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh will observe Janata Curfew, the traders from far-flung areas like North East, Jammu Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry will also participate by closing their shutters,'' said CAIT.

''This unique initiative of the Prime Minister is a national exercise not to convert the threat of corona virus to community transmission, which is very important. Beside traders, the CAIT has also talked to premier organisations of other retail sectors like transport, small scale industries, hawkers, Self-employed Groups, Women Entrepreneurs etc. to participate in Janata Curfew by closing down their business establishments,'' said

BC Bhartia National President and Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the CAIT.

The duo further informed that at present, adequate supply of goods is available in the supply chain of the country, but in many parts of the country people have started panic buying and if it is not stopped, then the supply chain will soon be in state of shortage of material.

''Keeping this in mind, the CAIT has sent an advisory to traders across the country that if any person exceeds  purchase more than the normal requirement, the trader in a cordial manner should motive the said consumer to buy goods in accordance with his normal requirement,'' they added.

On Friday, CAIT had also announced a complete shutdown of Delhi markets barring essential items, for the next 3 days starting today, said Khandelwal, in a tweet.

"Considering the serious situation developing due to the #CoronavirusOutbreakindia #covidindia and keeping in mind the health and safety of Delhi’s 15 lac traders, @TEAMCAIT has announced complete shutdown of Delhi markets from 21st- 23rd March barring essential services," the tweet read.

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