Jamshedpur, July 25: The Jamshedpur bandh called by traders and business community to protest against the Jharkhand Contagious Disease Ordinance received overwhelming response.
Under the banner of the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( SCCI ), the traders had called bandh as the ordinance imposes a penalty of Rs 1 lakh and a jail term of up to two years against those violating Covid safety norms.
All shops – garments, hardware, automobile, utensils and jewellery stores remained closed in Bistupur, Sakchi and other places in response to the bandh.
Members of the trade outfit also hit the streets.
They went around Bistupur and Sakchi requesting the business establishments to keep their shutters down.
The traders are against the provisions of Rs 1 lakh on those who ignore the security protocol and those who do not wear masks in the state and up to two year term in jail.
To register their protest the apex traders� body has also decided to sport black badges on Sunday in protest.
As a step to control the spread of the virus, they will close their shops from 6 pm rather than 9 pm as per the Government�s guidelines.
“We are overwhelmed with the response. The traders voluntarily closed their shops to support the call.
Tomorrow we will sport black badges and also close down shops by 6 pm,� said an official of the chamber of commerce.
Ashok Bhalotia, president, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked the business community for the support and said that the provisions announced by the Jharkhand government must be rolled back.
He said that the government has made a provision of fine of one lakh rupees and punishment of two years for not wearing masks in shops, showrooms, and other workplaces.
The provisions are inappropriate.
Meanwhile, the city is slowly turning into a Corona hotspot with corona positive cases rising every passing day.
In the last 24 hours alone more than 100 cases were reported taking the total to around 1200 in just 72 days in East Singhbhum district alone.
On Thursday, the city witnessed �two more deaths taking the figures to 27.
Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed restrictions in different areas in view of rising COVID-19 positive cases in the city.
A team led by City SP Subhash Chandra Jat had launched a drive at Sakchi and Bistupur and nab several people not wearing face masks
and ensuring personal distancing while venturing out to carry out their essential works in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.