Traders and industrialists of Dhanbad, one of the biggest economic zones of Jharkhand, are demanding that all shops are allowed to open as per the Lockdown 5 guidelines issued by the home ministry on Saturday.

General secretary of Jharkhand Industries and Trade Association Rajiv Sharma said, “Though we welcome the state government’s initiative to provide momentum to the industrial growth by allowing opening of industrial units in urban areas, we also demand the opening of the shops and commercial establishments so that the entire supply chain can be completed.”

Sharma said people wanted to buy a range of products, from garments to shoes, and, therefore, all shops must be allowed to open on rotation basis.

Umesh Heliwal, a garment trader of Kendua in Dhanbad, said they were the worst hit. “We have missed the seasonal income of festivals like Id and Ramnavami, besides the marriage season,” he noted.

“A majority of the over 5,000 garment shops are operating out of rented accommodations. We have rented godowns, too, for which there is no relief. We are also having to pay the fixed charges for electricity and staff,” Heliwal added.

Sharma said, “We are equally concerned over the rise in Covid 19 cases across the state and Dhanbad. Hence, all shops will follow social distancing norms.”

He said industries would operate normally only after markets opened as only five six types of industries, out of 500 in urban areas, had been allowed to re-start.

Treasurer of Federation of Dhanbad Zila Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manish Ranjan said the state government should initiate steps for opening shops and commercial establishments, and also restaurants and hotels, as per Lockdown 5 guidelines.