Team Herald
PONDA: Worried over the uncertain future of their business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ponda Bar and Restaurant Owners’ Association on Wednesday demanded that the government either allow them to conduct business by maintaining social distancing or compensate them for keeping their establishments closed during the lockdown.
Expressing its concerns over uncertainty prevailing due to the lockdown which may further extended, the Association complained that lockdown has snatched away their livelihood for past two months and nobody knows how long the lockdown will be extended under such circumstances.
“We are very much worried as it has become difficult for us to survive and so we demand that either the government allow us to conduct business by observing social distancing or compensate us for keeping our businesses shut during lockdown period,” the members demanded.
The association members met Ponda MLA Ravi Naik with their demand to commence their business practicing social distancing.
Naik asked them to submit a written memorandum with regard to their demand so that he could pursue the same with Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
Association President Peter Fernandes said, “The association is affiliated to All Goa Bar and Restaurant Association. There are around 750 bar owners in Ponda Taluka while around 11,500 across Goa. It is almost two months that our business is shut and we have spent all earnings for the survival of our families and employees for past two months and now we have no source of livelihood or any income to pay salaries to our employees. All MLAs should think about our plight and come out with a solution.”
Peter said former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had come out with a solution to their problem when the bars located near the highways were asked to shut. The COVID-19 lockdown has created a similar situation.
He said, “All other businesses including hair cutting salons are allowed to operate. This is cashew season and those engaged in the manufacturing of feni and urack have sold their products then why should we suffer? Why can’t we commence our business? Compared to other businesses we can avoid close contact with the customers. We can provide them disposable glasses and plates by maintaining social distancing. We too have families and children to feed and so considering our plight we must be allowed to start our business.”
Nnaneshwar Kavlekar said, “When buses can be operated by observing social distancing, we too should be allowed to commence our business by allowing one customer at a time with social distancing to earn our livelihood.”
Peter said the government should waive off the two-month electricity and water bills as their establishments remained shut. All other fees such as licence fees and municipal fees should not be charged till the lockdown is lifted and their establishments are allowed to open.
