Shops to operate with rosters of building owners: DC Biswajit Pegu

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu has said that the building owners will make rosters, in accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, for shops to remain open on their premises.

Addressing the media here on Monday, the DC stated that he had a meeting with the representatives of various business establishments, traders and market associations to discuss the rules and restrictions during the third phase of lockdown. He asked the shop keepers to follow the rosters to be formed by their respective building owners. "If any negligence is found, action will be taken against both building owners and shopkeepers, and the trade license will be liable to cancellation under the Disaster Management Act-2005," the DC added.

After enforcing the 40-day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break the chain of fatal coronavirus, the Assam Government announced several relaxations during the third phase of lockdown scheduled to commence from Monday.

"There are over 65,000 retail shops and around 1,200 whole sellers in Kamrup (M). All shops will be allowed to be open till 5 pm but shall remain closed on Sunday. Standalone shops will remain open as per as the government's guidelines," the DC added.

The DC pointed out that in any market area/lane, only one third of the total shops will be allowed to remain open; and one shop shall be allowed to operate for a maximum period of two days weekly. All shopping malls, market complexes including the front-facing shops shall remain closed. Any private offices running within the market/ complex/ malls will have to take permission from the DC.

Following a request of the business community, the DC appealed to the building owners to reduce the amount of rent to some extent or waive the rent of their tenants for a certain period to provide relief to them during these hard times.

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