NASHIK :
The Nashik Saraf Association has taken an important decision to keep the Saraf Bazar (bullion market) closed till May 17, even as District Collector Suraj Mandhare has given permission to keep the shops open. Accordingly, bullion traders had rushed to the bazar in the morning to open their shops as per the decision of the district collector. However, citing sudden spike in the number of corona patients in Deolali Camp and Nashik city areas on Tuesday, the city saraf association took an impromptu decision, eyeing safety of the traders and customers, to keep the jewellery shops closed until the end of the lockdown 3.O.
Even if the government has given permission with certain preconditions to open some shops, barring few to boost the economy, however giving importance to the safety of traders and customers, the Nashik Saraf Association has decided to adhere to the rules of the lockdown and social distancing by extending their full support to the government measures. The association is to decide on the opening of the bullion market after May 17, announced the NSA.
The entire city is in a lockdown position for the last 40 days due to the outbreak of the COVID-19. All services have come to a standstill except essential services. The city was under control for many days after the outbreak of Corona in the country. However, in the last few days, more patients have been found infected particularly in Malegaon and new emerging hotspot Yeola.
On the other hand, the number of patients in the city has also increased dramatically.
Even though the government has given permission to open the jewellery shops, the traders will have to ensure social distancing norms, regular use of protective masks and also will have to take care of their esteemed customers. And this can put additional burden on jewellers. Hence, the NSA yesterday unanimously decided to keep the bullion markets completely closed till May 17.
The Nashik Saraf Association and police administration have jointly discussed the present situation and accordingly, considering the health and safety of the jewellers and customers and to lessen the burden on the administration, the city jewellers have unanimously decided to keep the bullion market completely shut till May 17.
– Chetan Rajapurkar, President,
Nashik Saraf Association
