Kashmir traders oppose weekly ‘close day’ order; call for collaborative approach

Srinagar, Sep 05: The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s recent directive mandating a weekly closing day for shops and businesses has sparked criticism from the local business community.

The Labour Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir issued a circular emphasising strict adherence to the mandatory close day for shops and commercial establishments. The circular states that many businesses in the Union Territory have not been following the existing order, which is based on Section 13 of the Jammu and Kashmir Shops & Establishment Act, 1966.

Local business owners have voiced their concerns about the potential negative impact of this directive.

Bilal Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Srinagar, expressed his frustration: “Is this another form of hartal day? We have been closing our shops and business establishments frequently, from hartals and curfews up to COVID restrictions, spanning nearly 28 years. That is an extensive period of inactivity. As we are now trying to recover our losses, implementing further shutdowns under the ‘close day’ concept could hinder our progress.”

Ahmad further explained the impact on staff compensation: “Our staff are already being compensated with extra pay for working on Sundays, i.e., one and a half times their regular pay per Sunday, based on their salary ratio. They too have endured significant losses due to the prolonged shutdowns and are eager to recover financially.”

The Joint Traders Association (JTA), representing 12 central markets in Srinagar, has called for stakeholder consultation on the “Close Day” directive.

Farhan Kitab, Chairman of the JTA and head of the Regal Chowk Traders Association, stated, “While we are not against the directive, it is crucial that the traders, directly impacted by this policy, are taken on board. By involving us in the decision-making process, a specific day of the week could be selected that best accommodates both the business community and the general public.”

“The JTA believes that a collaborative approach would lead to a more effective and seamless implementation of the ‘Close Day’ policy, minimizing any potential disruption to businesses and ensuring that the needs of all stakeholders are adequately addressed.”

Another local trader, who wished to remain anonymous, compared the situation to other parts of India: “In metro cities and other states, businesses remain open seven days a week, with some areas even considering 24/7 operations. Why are we being forced to close when the rest of the country is moving towards more flexible business hours?”

“There should be no restrictions on working hours when the workforce is either willing to work or compensated for it through extra pay or shift adjustments. We need to be able to make our own decisions based on our business needs and staff preferences.”

Mehraj Din, a restaurateur in the Lal Chowk area, highlighted the potential impact on tourism: “Kashmir’s economy heavily relies on tourism. Forcing businesses to close one day a week could disappoint visitors and harm our reputation as a welcoming destination. We should be focusing on providing excellent service seven days a week to boost our recovering tourism sector.”

 J&K mandates weekly closure day for shops; business community criticises the directive.

 Labour Commissioner demands adherence to existing order under J&K Shops & Establishment Act, 1966.

 Traders fear weekly closures will hinder recovery after years of shutdowns and restrictions.

 Srinagar shopkeeper calls the directive “another hartal day,” affecting business recovery.

 Business owners argue staff is already compensated for Sundays; need more flexibility.

 Joint Traders Association (JTA) urges consultation for effective “Close Day” implementation.

 Concerns raised over potential negative impact on Kashmir’s tourism and visitor experience.