Non-essential shops in several areas said they were clueless about remaining shut; hawkers continued with their business till the BMC intervened
A shop catering to its customers on SG Barve Marg in Nehru Nagar area of Kurla on Tuesday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
As tough measures bordering on a lockdown unravelled on Tuesday morning, confusion ruled the city. Several shops across many suburbs remained open till afternoon, prompting BMC officials and the police to intervene. While many shop owners said they were unaware of everyday closure, they were warned by the authorities to down shutters. Even hawkers carried on with their business as usual in many areas until the civic body sprung into action.
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A cop asks shops to remain shut near Sena Bhavan in Dadar on Tuesday. Pic/Ashish Raje
In places like Andheri, Jogeshwari, Dadar and Bandra, many non-essential stores were seen running in full swing. While the government’s instructions were clear about the complete shutdown of non-essential services, shops dealing in clothes, shoes, utensils, jewellery and even liquor were open. Amid serious confusion among the citizens and liquor shop owners on whether they would be shut or not, the BMC clarified that they had to remain closed. Action was taken against many stores for flouting the norms.
A shopkeeper at Four Bungalows who did not want to be named said, “We were not aware that we too would have to stay shut as they called this a mini-lockdown. Now with such strictures what is the difference between mini and a complete lockdown? We have tried our best to revive our business and now we are again affected.”
In Dadar, all the cloth shops were shut but hawkers were seen on footpaths. The Federation of Retailers and Traders Welfare Association President, Viren Shah said, “This is how the administration is behaving with us. On the one hand, we are not allowed to run our businesses, while hawkers are occupying footpaths. We just demanded some relaxation but there is no relief from the government.”
Even as instructions over salons and beauty parlours were clear in the government circular, many were unaware of them. A salon at Lokhandwala in Andheri West sent out messages to its clients saying they would run throughout the week except the weekends. “Now with the full implementation of the guidelines, there will be strict action everywhere,” said a civic official. G North ward officer Kiran Dighavkar, said, “We took action and also sent out notices as all non-essential shops are to be shut completely.”
Govt rectifies follies
It seems the govt realised lacunae in its Sunday order, and issued a revised notification on Monday. It added petrol pumps and petroleum-related establishments to essential services list. Providing clarity on travel, especially during curfew hours, the revised order allows it on valid tickets. Bars and restaurants are allowed takeaway, home delivery, but standalone wine/liquor shops are yet to get clarity.
- Dharmendra Jore
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