Public bemoans indifferent policies for lockdown

Rawalpindi: The people attached with sanitary shops, hardware shops, electrical shops, motor winding shops, welding shops have appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to consider opening their business which were closely associated with the construction sector that had been opened on his order since April 14.

The people doing all such businesses have been sitting along roadsides without work and food. They said that Prime Minister Imran Khan should not consider only cement, bricks, sand, and crush to start the construction industry in the country. If poor daily wagers and labourers start working with cement, bricks, sand, and crush, how they will get lunch because all hotels and cafes were closed so where will they eat.

They bemoaned that the lockdown situation seems only for shopkeepers and not for the public. Over 80 per cent businesses were closed but a man could not pass through even his motorbike from rush places of Raja Bazaar, Tench Bhatta, Chungi No22, Lalkurti, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Bangash Colony, Fauji Colony, Jamia Masjid Road, Banni, Jhanda Chichi, Dhoke Hassu, Muslim Town, Sadiqabad and several other places.

In fact, majority of cloth sellers, shoe sellers, cosmetics sellers, purse sellers, electrical home appliances sellers, etc. have set up their stalls in front of their closed shops while others are selling all these things in different places. Similarly, the majority of welders, barbers, cooks, tailors, electricians, mechanics, etc. have continued their businesses from homes or going door-to-door.

Punjab government not established ‘Ramazan Sasta Bazaars’ this year to avoid public rush but thousands of customers could be witnessed at Committee Chowk Bazaar, Sabzimandi Bazaar, Chungi No22, Fruit and Vegetables Market in Sector I-11 on daily basis.

On March 22, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination through a Memorandum No1/1/2020-PS(c) dated March 20th and directed employees of over 50 years of age to work at home and also directed to work with necessary staff to avoid coronavirus. But, Capital Development Authority (CDA) through a Notification No.CDA/M(P&D)2020 warned that if anyone found absent without any reason/permission will be taken action under E&D Rules.

Similarly, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division has also directed all staff in all departments to come to offices otherwise strict departmental action would be taken against them.

On the other hand, Registration Branch in Rawalpindi Tehsil which was closely related to construction industry had remained closed for over 30 days, which has resulted in closure of any kinds of sale and purchase therefore it would not be possible to start construction work.

Talking to ‘The News’ daily wagers and other poor people have strongly criticized government decisions added that the government was not clear in its decisions. The government is taking decisions only to suppress common citizens to spread poverty and hunger everywhere otherwise nothing.

Muhammad Usman, a daily wager, said that they were still waiting for ‘Corona Tiger Force’ volunteers to provide us three times meal. We are wandering here and there in search of three times meal but government officials are yet busy in conducting meetings and press conferences, he denounced.

The barbers, cloth sellers, tailors, welders, mechanics, shoe sellers, and several others said that they were facing hell like situation in lockdown. If the government had imposed a complete lockdown or curfew only for 15 days, we could have controlled the spreading of coronavirus in the country, they said.