Shaizan Nadaf
Bandipora, 20 April (KDC): Authorities issued regulations of market opening and public transport plying on Tuesday in north Kashmir’s District Bandipora.
An Order Copy which lies with the news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) reads, “Pursuant to the guidelines/ Instructions issued by the Government conveyed vide Government Order No: 22-JK(DMRRR) of 2021, dated: 20-04-2021 & as a precautionary measure. In view of surge of COVID-19 cases in the District and in the Interest of safety and wellbeing of the general public and to contain the further spread of CoronaVirus and pursuant to the discussions held with the Traders Federations/ Transport Associations and all concerned officers of Revenue/ Police/ Municipalities/ Health etc, I, Dr. Owais Ahmad, IAS, District Magistrate, Bandipora, In exercise of powers vested in me under Section-34 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, do hereby order following regulations for opening of market places/ shops in all the Municipal/ Urban areas and regulation of seating capacity in public transport (Matadors/ Mini Buses/ Buses etc) across the District
Shopkeepers shall be allowed to operate only after having tested negative for COVID-19. They shall mandatorily sample themselves after every 15 days at the nearest Sampling facility, reads the order,
Order states “President Traders Federation, Bandipora/ Hajin/ Sumbal shall be roped in by concerned Executive Officers for sensitization & mobilization of eligible shopkeepers for COVID-19 Vaccination. Concerned BMOS shall make special arrangements in this regard.”
Order further stated that; Shopkeepers shall strictly ensure & adhere to the following conditions:
They shall display their COVID-19 Negative Test Reports on the entry points of their shops.
Mandatorily keep record/ register of customers with basic details like name, parentage, residence, contact number etc, on daily basis.
They shall ensure adequate social distancing in Customers and shall also keep Hand Sanitizers on front desks.
They shall keep stock of masks available all the time.
Nothing shall be sold to those customers who come without wearing masks. They shall instead be offered masks before selling any items on payment basis.
They shall extend due cooperation in the sampling process, whenever and wherever required.
Shopkeepers, of Bandipora Town (Nusso up to Kaloosa) Including Shops on Ajar DC Office Road, and Town Hajin & Town Sumbal, shall operate on alternate days from 21.04.2021 onwards, with the shops on East Side (Right Side Srinagar to Bandipora) shall remain closed on every Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday and shops on West Side (Left Side Srinagar to Bandipora) shall remain closed on every Tuesday/ Thursday/ Saturday. Moreover all shops, except Medical Shops, shall remain closed on Sunday, it said.
However, in view of the suggestions put forth by the Traders Federation Bandipora, the entire Khaadim Market (Mini Market on the back side of Main Market, Bandipora) shall remain closed on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Also the Subzi Market Bandipora shall also operate at 50% l.e. half of the registered vendors (category wise) on rotation basis, reads the order by district magistrate.
”A Committee of Officers headed by Tehsildar Bandipora/ Sumbal/ Hajin and comprising Chlef Executive Officer, MC Bandipora/ EO M/C Sumbal/ Hajin, SHO Bandipora/ Sumbal/ Hajin and representative from Traders Federation, Bandipora/ Sumbal/ Hajin shall ensure implementation of all conditions as envisaged In Para 2 and 3 and to also impose penal action including fines on all violators in Town Bandiporal Sumbal/ Hajin respectively,” order said.
It further said that “Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sumbal In consultation with Tehsildar Sonawarl/ Hajin and Executive Officer, M/C, Sumbal/ Hajin shall also Issue similar Instructions for all market places in Town Sumbal & Hajin for regulation of opening of shops on alternate days, as per local requirements . “
“Proper Sanitization/Fumigation of Market shall be ensured by concerned EO MCS. Sanitization of shops shall be done by shopkeepers themselves on daily basis. 7. Public transport vehicles Including Matadors, Mini Buses, Buses, etc shall ply only at 50% of their authorized seating capacity. Sr. Superintendent of Police, shall ensure implementation in this regard,” added the order.
Order further stated; Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Bandipora and Dy. SP, Traffic, Bandipora shall also take necessary measures for the implementation as above. Moreover, the officers shall also formulate a staggering mechanism for plying of autos, that too with 50% of their authorized seating capacity, within the municipal limits of Town Bandipora as per the suggestions made by the President Traders Federation and President Auto Association . (KDC)
