Team Herald
Ponda: For many COVID-19 has brought tears as people are waiting for these tough days to pass and for better days to return.
They understand the need for the lockdown but staying at home for such a lengthy period has left them worried about their future income and how they will manage to feed their families during the lockdown period. At the same time, many have agreed that this lockdown period has taught them a lot about humanity and how to make do with limited resources.
The problem however begins now, given that many are not in a position to draw a salary or earn any income in the month of April. Some have not got their entire payment due to them in the month of March as well. One thing is certain; they have never experienced such a situation before or the dangers of the global pandemic.
One local small businessman from Ponda, Raguvhir Naik, said that the worst hit is the common man who is facing an uncertain future.
There have been others whose marriage ceremonies have been cancelled and they have suffered major losses due to the same.
Some are worried about their house repair work that is needed to be done before the monsoon whereas others are concerned about how they will pay back their loans.
Social worker Hanumanth Naik urged the government to provide financial assistance to those who have lost their livelihood. He also urged the government to provide relief to small scale industries and entrepreneurs who are badly affected. He was also of the opinion that the government should not charge electricity bills during the lockdown period and asserted that such relief should be provided given that they are regular tax-payers.
