The state government’s decision to not allow any relaxation in the lockdown has frustrated traders and shopkeepers who were looking forward to the resumption of business.

Several small traders and retail shop owners in Dhanbad have expressed concern over chief minister Hemant Soren’s decision to keep shops and markets in green and orange zones closed and have demanded relaxations offered by states such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Prabhat Surolia, president of Bank Mor Chamber of Commerce, one of the biggest units of Federation of Dhanbad Zilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “States such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which have more red zones compared with Jharkhand, are taking steps to allow trade activities in green and orange zones after preparing a detailed action plan. Our state government should also take similar steps, after taking all precautionary measures, to bring back the economy on track.”

He said the traders understood the government’s problems and stood in solidarity with it, but the government should also be sympathetic towards their difficulties.

“Seasonal items are perishing in shops and godowns. Food items are also being damaged by rodents,” Surolia said in his letter to the chief minister.

Highlighting the plight of the traders, he said products such as TMT bars and iron rods were gathering rust and would not fetch half the price. The traders also have the pressure of paying salary to their staff and dues to the wholesalers, he said.

“The government has allowed plumbers, electricians and carpenters to resume work, but electrical and general hardware shops have not been allowed to reopen. How will the service providers operate then?” Surolia wrote, demanding the opening of hardware, electronics, garment, plywood, electric and motor parts shops.

In a related development, the representatives of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Dhanbad, under the banner of Jharkhand Industries and Trade Association, on Monday met general manager of District Industry Centre Dilip Kumar Sharma and apprised him of the difficulties being faced by them.

Sharma has been appointed as the nodal officer of Dhanbad for maintaining supply chain to MSME industries.

The delegation explained how it was getting difficult to keep the small units operational at a time shops offering products and services such as electrical hardware; industrial spare parts, plumbing, welding and pipe-fitting were closed.