Won’t accept rotational closure of markets directive: KTA

Srinagar, Sep 09: A delegation from the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA), led by its president Aijaz Shahdhar, met with Deputy Labour Commissioner Central J&K, Ideel Saleem, to discuss a recent directive issued by the Labour Department requiring markets to observe one close day per week.

The directive, which suggests a rotation-wise weekly closure in markets, has caused concern among the business community in the region.

A statement said that during the meeting, the KTA delegation expressed their reservations regarding the proposed rotation-wise closure, arguing that it would adversely affect trade and business activities. Shahdhar emphasised that such a system would create confusion among consumers and traders alike, leading to disruptions in the smooth functioning of the markets.

“We informed the Labour Department officials about our reservations against the rotation-wise observing of close days in markets. It will affect the trade and business activities,” Shahdhar said.

“We are already suffering due to Smart city works going on across Srinagar.”

He further suggested that markets should observe a uniform close day on Sunday, which is an internationally recognized holiday.

In response to this suggestion, Deputy Labour Commissioner Ideel Saleem stated that, according to existing regulations, markets could choose to observe a weekly close day on either Friday or Sunday.

Among others who attended the meeting were Sabit Ali, sajad Hyder, Fayaz Nadaf, Altaf Hussain, and Sajad Din.