New Delhi, May 29 (KNN) The decision of Delhi Chief Minister to allow unlocking of construction activities and factories from May 31st, 2021 has come under severe criticism from the business community which has termed the decision as quite illogical, unmatured and runs contrary to the business activities in Delhi.

The trade leaders of Delhi on Saturday, during a video meet, convened by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said that they appreciate the concern of Delhi government about spreading of coronavirus which has come under control after seeing very bad days in Delhi, yet the yardstick applied for the opening of construction activities and factories could be applied more judiciously for opening the markets and particularly when the trade associations all over Delhi are more inclined to extend full support of the government.

''The meeting attended by 508 trade leaders from all parts of Delhi unanimously decided to approach Delhi LG Anil Baijal and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to review the decision in the light of the ground reality of Corona in the markets of Delhi, traders assured the government of maintaining safety protocols in shops,'' said Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of CAIT.

Khandelwal said that all the business leaders of Delhi have strongly criticised for not including the markets in the process of unlocking Delhi. He said that when the lock-down was announced in Delhi on 19 April, the infection rate was 26 .12 per cent and the number of infected people was 23686 which has come down to around 1100 positive cases with a positivity rate of 1 .5 per cent.

''Therefore, we do not see any harm in opening the shops and markets in Delhi in a phased manner while segregating the working time for different verticals of Delhi trade,'' he added.

He said that the traders have no interest in hugging the corona, but the shops closed for the last one month have shaken the traders' cries. As to how the ongoing expenses will be met, how the salary of the employees will be paid, from where will the interest of banks, monthly instalment of houses and vehicles, electricity-water expenses, property tax and shop rent be paid are the bigger questions which are haunting the traders. 

The business of Delhi has been completely derailed, how will that business be restored when there is an acute financial crunch, are other issues for which traders are demanding to open the shops and markets. Absolutely, there is no hope of getting any kind of financial support from the government! In such a situation, if the markets and shops are not opened, then it will not only affect the traders but also their families.

''The trade leaders participating in the meeting said that unlocking the construction activities and the opening of factories is a welcome step but bypassing the need for opening the markets has made it highly irrational and unjustified,'' CAIT said in a statement. 

CAIT further said that the factories may comply with social distancing norms but the question of how social distancing will occur in construction activities seems to have not been taken into consideration whereas, on the contrary, if the markets are opened in a phased manner, then all the covid safety rules can be followed.

''The opening of markets will also restore employment of lakhs of people who are dependent upon the traders for their livelihood.'' it added. 

Khandelwal said that we are not saying that shops should be open seven days a week and for the full working hours. Upon consultation between Delhi Government and the trade leaders, ways can be crafted to restore business activities in a manner which may certainly curb any more spreading of coronavirus.    

''Working hours can be reduced, Delhi can be divided into different zones, night curfew can be imposed, weekend lockdowns and several other options can be considered but the fundamental is to have a will to open the shops and markets,'' he stated.