Shops being operated in violation of lockdown

Bhilai, May 13:
In a situation when the entire district is suffering from the novel coronavirus pandemic, there are some profiteers who are violating the lockdown norms and are putting the lives of people at risk. The district administration has imposed a total lockdown in the district with the objective of breaking the chain of Covid 19 infection, which has emerged with greater strength in its second wave. For ensuring supply of essential commodities, some relaxations have also been provided but there are few people who are violating the norms to earn profit. These shopkeepers are openly selling goods under the patronage of a Traders’ Organisation and its influential office bearers.
Several shops in the city’s biggest commercial area – Power House Market are being operated in violation to the norms of lockdown. After receiving repeated complaints, a team of Bhilai Municipal Corporation reached Power House Market on Wednesday and found that several shops were open and the customers had flocked there to purchase goods. All these shops do not come under the list of exempted activities. It is a matter of great concern that from where these shopkeepers are getting courage to operate the shops in violation to government orders. Furthermore, most of these shops are located within the one kilometre radius of the CSP’s Office as well as Chhawani Police Station.
According to information, the BMC Team led by Zone 3 Commissioner Preeti Singh reached Power House Market on Wednesday. They were accompanied by the cops of Chhawani Police Station. The team found that several shops were open and were entertaining the customers. There was a considerable rush in the market. The team marched across the market and identified the shops which were open. The team was about to take plenary action against the shopkeepers when some office bearers of a Traders’ Organisation reached there and engaged the officials and cops in talks. After some time, they managed to convince the team to return back without taking any plenary action against the violators. According to BMC’s official press release, the team found several shops operating in Power House Market in violation to lockdown rules. The team got the shops closed and the shopkeepers were warned of strict action including sealing the shops if found open during lockdown period.
On condition of anonymity, a BMC official said that the influential office bearers of a traders’ organisation managed to avert the plenary action against the shopkeepers. They are providing protection to the shopkeepers during lockdown. Under their patronage, the shopkeepers are doing business freely with half-open shutters or allowing entry of customers from back doors.
It needs to be mentioned here that a couple of days ago, the BMC team had imposed a fine of Rs 10000 on a cloth merchant – Prabhudayal Collections situated in Power House Market. The civic body administration is expected to take strict action against the lockdown violators without getting influenced or convinced from the excuses of profiteers.

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