Take 5: Faces On The Fringes Of News; ‘Ban no solution to fight pollution’

How many diesel generators do you give out for functions?

Depending on the size of the function, we usually get two diesel generators on a contract basis and rent them both out for Rs 10,000.

Does banning the generators help control air pollution?

Keeping pollution in check is essential. But a ban can’t be the solution. Instead improve technology. You don’t take all cars off the road, do you? In our business, renting out one generator provides for at least five people and they may have families of their own; so, in effect, around 20 people will somehow benefit from it.

Temporary connections have been promised to those in need.

Sure. But there are just too many formalities. The poor would also want their special day to be truly special and renting out a generator is cheaper than paying Rs 16,000 upfront for an electricity meter connection.

How will the ban affect your business?

As it is, business is not good. I am thinking of shutting down and going into selling electrical items. I opened this shop in 1984 and now there are hardly any functions in Mayur Vihar. Many are shifting their events to places outside Delhi, like Noida and Gurgaon.

Is the ban the only reason for this slump?

First it was demonetisation and then the GST. I supported demonetisation but then the government should have given us small enterprises time to prepare for the GST. A small trader has to now spend so much time on clearing formalities that it distracts him from his trade. It is like one thing after the other. And now this ban.