Pune: The Federation of Trade Associations of Pune (FATP) has raised questions about the double standards of the civic and district administration of Pune which has allowed malls to operate seven days a week from 9 am to 7 pm, but has asked the street shops to stay open only on alternates days based on the odd-even system.
Calling out this illogical decision by the administration, the FATP has again demanded the cancellation of the ‘odd-even’ system and allowing businesses to remain open for all seven days between 9 am to 7 pm.
FATP President Fattechand Ranka and Secretary Mahendra Pitaliya has written a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao, District Collector Naval Kishor Ram and Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar citing the contrary orders by district administrations within and outside Pune city.
Earlier while rejecting the FATP demand, Rao had stated that the odd-even basis formula for reopening of shops was suggested by the state government and hence the district administration can’t scrap it by going against the directive.
Challenging the stand taken by Rao, FATP has mentioned the Akola District Collector’s order in which the administration has gone against the state government’s directive and allowed non-essential shops to operate every day from 9 am to 7 pm.
FATP has also pointed out the contradiction in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) order regarding the timings allowed for malls and other shops in the city. “FATP feels very strange that the malls have been permitted to remain open on all days of the week without any condition of odd-even basis from 9 am to 7 pm, but on the other hand condition of the odd-even system is applied to the shops on street. Both these orders are contrary to each other and injustice on the traders of Pune,” the letter states.
“We would like to draw your attention that now Shravan month has started. Various Hindu festivals are in the coming months. Odd-even systems have created confusion in the mind of the customers. If the odd-even system is not cancelled or reverted back, the traders are going to suffer heavy losses,” the federation of trade associations has said.
