One weekly market per zone will affect sales, say Delhi vendors

NEW DELHI: Weekly market vendors are not happy with the latest order of Delhi Disaster Management Authority. They complained that besides allowing only one market daily per zone, the authority had refused to allow the markets on roadsides, which would automatically affect their sales.
Sunday’s order has stated that markets can be allowed to function at suitable nearby grounds, where the DDMA guidelines can be strictly implemented.
District officials have also been asked to allow only 50% vendors at one place and not to permit any unauthorised weekly market. Traders said the directions would lead to confusion and even discord among vendors over putting up stalls.
“We fail to understand why weekly market vendors have to face difficulties every time the unlocking exercise starts. When no market will be allowed on the roadside, how would people get to know about a new destination when only one market is allowed daily in a zone?” asked Rajesh Gupta of North Delhi Weekly Market Association. The condition of allowing markets only in open areas will do away with the chances of organising tehbazari at places where there are no open spaces, he added.
“In zones like Rohini, where 38 markets are organised in a week, only seven will be allowed. Where will the rest of the vendors earn their livelihood?” Gupta wondered. “We are waiting for weekly markets to start operations and after a few days, we will pursue the authority to give relaxations.”
Rajkumar Kataria, general secretary of Weekly Vendors’ Market Association in south Delhi, welcomed the move to allow weekly markets, but also pointed out that these markets were organised at one place for years. “Locals come here accordingly. So shifting them to other sites is not a good idea.”
DDMA has asked civic bodies to publish the list of authorised weekly markets on their websites to discourage people to put up stalls anywhere else. If Covid-appropriate behaviour is not followed or if there is any increase in cases, all weekly markets will be closed without any loss of time to avoid any upsurge, it has specified.