Ramzan sales: Absence of clear cut guidelines confuses traders

Hyderabad: The trader community in the city is in a fix over the absence of clear-cut guidelines from the state government. There was a wave of optimism when chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao last week announced in the Assembly that no lockdown will be imposed.

However, small-time traders and businessmen had their optimism short-lived as barely after two days after KCR’s announcement, state chief secretary Somesh Kumar imposed new curbs on religious gatherings, celebrations, and festivals.

Coming just days before the holy month of Ramzan, many organizers of events are now unsure whether permissions would be granted for sales and exhibitions in marriage halls or other places during the holy month of Ramzan. With restrictions in place, it is to be seen what is permitted, and what isn’t.

Earlier the traders in Hyderabad and Secunderabad were gearing up to hold sales/exhibitions in open spaces with social distancing during the holy month of Ramzan, but the new curbs are likely to impact Ramzan sales. Many traders, who did not want to be identified, said that the state government must issue clear-cut guidelines regarding sales/exhibitions during the holy month of Ramazan, as they have barely 15 days to complete their preparations.