‘Powerless’ UP orders shops to shut by 7 pm

The new timings come into effect immediately and the violators will face action,the government announced. It said the decision has been taken keeping in mind the problems in electricity supply because of intense heat. “By this decision of the state government,the public and farmers of the state will get some respite,” added the statement issued by the government.

Traders and mall managements slammed the government’s decision saying it would hamper their business. Saraswati Singh,Manager (Marketing) of Fun Multiplexes Private Limited,said: “This being the summer peak season,people actually pour into malls after 6 pm. The magnitude of it will be known in the days to come.”

Kishan Chandra Bhamwani,president of Hazratganj Traders Association,said the government’s decision was “uncivilised and very disappointing”. The government held no consultation with traders before imposing these timings,he said.

This diktat means that the traders will have to close their shops before peak business hours when people come in the markets for shopping,and this will also hit government revenue,he added.

“Had the government approached us with its problem,we could have worked out some arrangement. I had not expected something like this from this government,” said Bhamwani,adding the traders will hold a meeting on Monday to decide future course of action.

D S Verma,Executive Director of the Indian Industries Association,said the government’s decision indicates the power shortage has gone from bad to worse.

Verma said that instead of such moves which inconvenience the public,the government should act to stop power theft and uneven distribution where some districts get more electricity compared to others. As a long-term measure,the government should take steps to increase generation capacity.

Sanjay Gupta,UP state president of the Adarsh Vyapar Mandal,said the government’s decision shows its failure to discharge its responsibilities. He said they will submit the memoranda to all district magistrates to protest against the government’s decision on Monday.

Awadhesh Kumar Verma,chairman of the UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad,said a similar order for closing the markets was issued by the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in 2006 but the government had to withdraw it after protests by the traders.