NASHIK :
According to research conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, retailers in India trade with a narrow profit margin of only 2 to 3 per cent. At the same time, traders in most of the countries, including Europe, trade with a high-profit margin between 20 to 30 per cent. Still, Indian trade industry has enough potential for survival and growth. The state government should hold talks with the delegates of the various industries, trade unions and trade associations across the country and should amicably look into their suggestions for feasible solutions.
Mansingh Pawar, former president, Marathwada Vyapari Mahasangh; Satyanarayan Lahoti (Beed), former president, Marathwada Vyapari Mahasangh; Vikram Sarda, Chairman, NICE; and Hemant Rathi, president, Nashik Citizens’ Forum submitted a memorandum to the state government seeking early resolution of their reasonable demands, with business, trade and industry at its centre-stage.
“The third phase of the extended lockdown has come into effect from today. No doubt that the state and central governments have given certain exemptions and relaxations to the business, trade and industry for the revival of economy giving priorities to sell-purchase of essential items, transportation of goods, agricultural works, buy and sell of agriculture-related products and permission for trades in rural and urban areas.
In addition to this coordinated efforts of Central and state governments as well as district administration are laudable in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic,” the memorandum submitted by Mansingh Pawar stated.
However, a trader which is a key link between customers and manufacturers is still a neglected factor. It seems quite disappointing that the trader who is among the major sources of employment generation is looking neglected on the part of the government, said Pawar in the memorandum.
From a small hamlet in remote areas up to the metropolitan cities, a trader has always been prompt to deliver services. In India, there are 7 crore registered traders including 1.25 crore in Maharashtra and 1.5 lakh in Marathwada which help generate employment opportunities for around 30 crore people.
In the present situation, barring essential services like groceries and medical, all other major and minor shops including garments, general stores, hardware, electronics, bullion and computers are closed due to the extended lockdown. Our brothers working in the grocery and medical fields are providing relentless services to the citizens risking their lives. Not only that, out of social consciousness, but the trader is also distributing free food to the needy and those on the front line of the fight against COVID-19, regardless of whether the customer has money or not. It is his unique way of service to mankind, it said.
But it seems that no one has time to think about this trader who takes social initiatives in times of adversity. In all this, multinational companies selling online products are nowhere in the picture. However, the government had allowed online sales but the decision was reversed due to strong opposition from traders. Does this mean that the interests of multinational companies are being served more than local traders? Are there any plans to get traders out of the slowed-down economic cycle during or after the lockdown? There seems no discussion on this, it further added.
Key demands of traders :
According to the letter, traders from organized and unorganized sectors should be exempted from professional tax for the next two years, interest-free payment to banks or other financial institutions and for financial transactions (all types of loan instalments, electricity bills, arrears etc.) during lockdown period, charging of electricity bills as per industrial tariffs for the traders in the next two years, loans at lower rates to every businessman, trader complying financial rules of the banks, and time extension to pay the GST.
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