Unlock with no respite

As the government has announced the unlock process in Jammu and Kashmir after a month-long lockdown, there are people in Srinagar and elsewhere who are displeased over the government move as they claim that the decision is in no way helping them to earn their livelihood. The poor people especially street vendors, transporters and others have not earned a single penny from last over one month and now are being allowed to run their businesses across the Union Territory. However, the administration’s decision of allowing the shops on one side once in a week has not brought any respite to the affected businessmen and working class as they are not able to earn their livelihood on a single day in one week. The fresh directive from the government is nothing less than a cruel joke to them as they are not able to earn enough money to buy the bread for their respective families. There are people who question allowing the markets for merely two days in a week. They say the government has announced lockdown from Friday to Monday morning, but the district administration especially in Srinagar has been permitting them to run their businesses for merely two days i.e. Mondays and Thursdays. There is a need to give a thought to the decision again and ensure that a favorable decision is taken for the traders and transporters so that they could heave a sigh of relief.