Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Jan 14: The various associations in city have opposed the weekend curfews as unscientific and damaging for their livelihood.
The associations concerned with catering, footwear, textile, readymade garments, sound and lighting and beauty parlours conducted a joint press meet on Friday January 14 to confide their woes.
Karavali Textiles, Readymade and Footwear Dealers' Association president Santhosh Kamath said, "The lockdowns and weekend curfews are hitting us very hard and we are in dire straits. The government has taken an unscientific decision in terms of lockdown and weekend curfew. We will apprise the government on the problems we face due to the lockdowns. The deputy commissioner should call for a meeting with the association members so that we can give our suggestions as well. We are not against the government or lockdown but the restrictions must be imposed in a disciplined and unbiased manner.
Mangaluru Ladies Beauty Parlour Association president Babitha Shetty said, "During the weekends we have more business but the weekend curfews are affecting us. It is better if we are allowed to open our parlours on Saturdays or Sundays. We are ready to close our shops on Mondays and Tuesdays."
The Mobile Retailers Association president Gurudath Kamath said, "Due to lockdown many mobile shops have been closed. Some retailers have left back to their native places never to return. I urge the government to support us."
Social activist M G Hegde said, ‘Many politicians, medical experts, prime minister have been saying that we must make it a habit to live with the pandemic since it is never ending. If it is never ending can lockdowns be the solution?. Not a single person has done a research on how many people have lost jobs, small business, shops and committed suicide. They seem to have no sensitivity on how the lockdowns have affected people. A person can have immunity when they have food and money. Most of the diseases occur due to stress. If the economic condition is not good then a person will have stress and consequently, low immunity.
He also said, "Many have taken loans. Who will address this issue? The public representatives we have voted for should address this. During the past two years not even once our representatives have called for a meeting and sought our suggestion or addressed our grievances. Let the government decide to open essential services and other shops atleast on alternative days, so that every section benefits." The expert committee which decides on lockdowns and curfews must essentially comprise medical experts, economy experts, public representatives and other relevant people, Hegde suggested.
Karavali Textiles, Readymade and Footwear Dealers' Association treasurer Sayyed Ismail was also present.