Traders seek withdrawal of P1/P2 system after Akola does away with it

PUNE: The Federation of Trade Associations of Pune (FTAP) continued to demand removal of the P1/P2 system, but shops across the city are following the norm diligently to avoid paying penalty.
FTAP has sought removal of P1/P2 system in Pune, citing the example of Akola.
Divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao said that he cannot cancel P1/P2 since he is not the competent authority to take such a decision.
In a letter to deputy chief minister and local guardian minister Ajit Pawar, the traders’ body has cited the example of Akola, where the district collector has done away with the P1/P2 system through orders dated July 31.“Despite orders of the state government dated July 31, the district collector of Akola cancelled the odd-even or P1/P2 system. The order said that all shops could function from August 3 between 9am and 7pm in line with the rules and conditions laid down in the order. This means the authority concerned took its own decision despite orders of the government of Maharashtra,” FTAP members said. Fatehchand Ranka, president, FTAP, said, “FTAP started Covid-19 antigen test camps from July 29 jointly with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). In five days, 1,439 employees and owners were tested, and 37 employees found positive. Meanwhile, not a single trader tested positive. This proves that members are taking best care of themselves and their staff members.”
He said, “It is strange that malls have been permitted to remain open on all days without any condition of P1/P2, while this is applied to shops on the street. If P1/P2 is not removed, traders are going to suffer heavy losses. From time to time, we have submitted letters objecting to P1/P2 and now, on behalf of 30,000 traders, we request that businesses be allowed to remain open on all days between 9am and 7pm.”