Maharashtra commerce body wants fine for unvaccinated traders scrapped

Gandhi says traders are still mulling over how to overcome losses suffered in the past two years due to the pandemic. Representation pic

The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA) has called the new Covid-19 guidelines, especially the provision of imposing the fine on the customers and shopkeepers in case the individuals other than fully-vaccinated people are found trading in commercial establishments, illogical and an invitation to anarchy.

Under the new regulations issued last weekend, the vaccination violation will invite a fine of Rs 500 for the customer and Rs 10,000 for the shopkeeper/management. MACCIA has threatened a statewide agitation if the regulation/restriction is not lifted immediately.

MACCIA President Lalit Gandhi, in a statement on Monday, said that the Covid-19 preventive measure is illogical and metes out injustice to the traders. "The traders will create awareness about vaccination, but it is not logical to punish them (traders) for the customer's fault. The fine should be imposed on the defaulting individual and the provision against traders must be scrapped immediately. I have petitioned Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte about this," said Gandhi.

Gandhi added that the traders are already facing financial woes because of the pandemic. "The economy has started rolling now. But traders are still mulling how to overcome the losses they suffered in the past two years. It is unhealthy for the state's economy to impose illogical restrictions instead of giving incentives to the business community. Who will take the responsibility for people who roam around the public places other than shops despite not being fully-vaccinated? What if such individuals are found in government offices? Who will be fined then?" he asked.

Rs 500
Fine for the customer who is not vaccinated