Lockdown 3.0: Shops to be opened in turns in Cachar, market associations to prepare roster

May 4: A meeting with the representatives of various merchant organisations was held in Cachar district which was chaired by Barnali Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of the district. The meeting was held in the presence of MLA Silchar Dilip Kumar Paul. The meeting discussed the issue regarding the opening of shops as per the one-third formula devised by state government during the ongoing Lockdown 3.0.

After a threadbare discussion, it was informed that market associations and shopkeepers in their localities should prepare a roster as per which shops will be opened. However, the roster ought to be made keeping in mind that every two shops will be kept closed in between two open shops in every locality on a particular day. In doing so, it should be noted that all the shops in the locality get their turn to keep their stores open. For identification of shops and preparation of roster, market inspectors of respective Municipal wards have been directed to extend their necessary cooperation to the market association, shopkeepers.

The meeting also decided that pharmacies and shops of essential commodities may be kept open as per guideline maintaining social distancing. Owners of all shops are to ensure proper sanitisation and the masks should be used by both sellers and buyers. Shopping malls, market complexes and cinema halls will remain closed. Retail vegetables and fish markets should be closed and only door to door delivery of fish and vegetables will be allowed.

Deputy Commissioner also mentioned that the wholesale vegetable market at New Market and Fatak Bazar is congested and over crowded, so she suggested for an alternative suitable open place for unloading of vegetables etc in order to maintain social distancing properly. She urged all concerned to remain extremely careful and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through contact. She also assured that everybody would get the chance to carry on their business with strict compliance to the government norms.

The Deputy Commissioner urged all to abide by the guidelines during relaxation as given by the Government of India and Government of Assam. She also stated that any violation of the Government instructions would be treated as punishable offence under Disaster Management Act, 2005 and relevant sections of law.

The meeting was also attended by the District Development Commissioner, Jessica Lalsim, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sumit Sattawan, Additional Deputy Commissioner A.R Majumder among others.