Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday urged the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) chief Dr Vijay Rathod to rethink over the odd-even formula for opening the shops in the twin-city.
In his letter to the municipal commissioner- Sarnaik has cited the example of neighbouring BMC which has done away with the odd-even system for shops, malls and market complexes while inking specific guidelines for operations of gymnasiums.
The MBMC had allowed reopening of commercial establishments in the twin-city in the second phase of unlock mode from 19, July by implementing the odd-even formula. Under the odd-even system, shops can open on each side of the pavement on alternate days.
“Unlike the grim scenario last month which saw as high as 300 cases, the number of cases hover around 100. We have to gradually move towards opening the economy and the odd-even formula is a setback for traders who are reeling under losses for the past more than four months. “said Sarnaik.
“The odd-even concept cannot work smoothly for business operations as traders here are dependent upon each other for procurement of goods,” said Ganesh Shivmath of Ustaad Boutique in Bhayandar.
“Apart from disturbance with the transport system, it is inconvenient for customers as they are deprived of their choice since half of the shops remain closed for each day. Moreover, our shops are rented and we have to pay the entire months’ rent while keeping shops open only for 15 days,” said Prakash Choudhary of Gift Gallery in Mira Road.
While the total number of positive cases in the twin-city has reached 8,956, the active number is restricted to 1,390 as 7,275 patients have recovered so far. The recovery rate stands at 81 percent even as the death rate continues to hover above 3 percent.
(To download our E-paper please click here. The publishers permit sharing of the paper's PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)
