Lockdown step taken in a hurry: Chandigarh Beopar Mandal

Chandigarh, April 20

The Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM) denounced the decision taken by the UT Administration to impose the lockdown tomorrow, stating that the step had been taken in a hurry and without taking into confidence the stakeholders, which are predominantly traders of the city.

Earlier, the CBM had appealed to the Administration to announce such harsh steps as last resort only and must keep the trader bodies like the CBM as part of proceedings finalising such lockdowns.

Charanjiv Singh, president, and Diwakar Sahoonja, patron-cum-chief spokesperson, CBM, said last year, the lockdown had crippled the economy and small and medium traders were the worst-hit section of society.

No compensation in form of reduction in property tax, electricity, GST, lease money, water charges and towards rentals, etc., had been announced by the government towards this revenue and employment generating section of society, they said.

Charanjiv said they would hold a meeting on Thursday to decide ways of protest to stop further lockdowns and demands an urgent meeting with the Administrator to finalise steps to strengthen the revival of economy. — TNS