Ludhiana: Tent dealers up in arms against Punjab govt’s curbs on gatherings

The Punjab government has decided to restrict gathering limit at events to 30 people despite the Union government allowing 100 people from September 21

The Punjab Tent Dealers Welfare Association started a two-day protest on Tuesday against the state government’s decision to restrict gathering limit at events to 30 people despite the Union government allowing 100 people from September 21.

Members of tent and catering industry during a protest at Dugri in Ludhiana on Tuesday. (Gurpreet SIngh/HT)

In Ludhiana, protest marches were organised in different parts of the city on cars. Protesters displayed posters slamming the state government’s decision and raised slogans. They also got into a heated argument with the police at Samrala chowk.

The members rued that over 10 lakh people, who are involved in the business directly and indirectly, are struggling to make ends meet due to the pandemic, but the government is not paying heed to the problem.

The members said they will hand over a memorandum of their demands to MLAs of their respective constituencies.

Punjab general secretary Shiv Shanker Rai, said, “Apart from 8,000 tent dealers across the state, caterers, decorators and Djs have also extended their support to the protest and kept their shops closed. If the Union government has allowed 100 people to gather from September 21, why can’t the state government do so?”

Raj Aggarwal, president of the Ludhiana Tent Dealers Welfare Association, said, “Tent owners have made no money in the last over five months and are struggling to make ends meet. A large number of employees have lost their jobs as owners are not able to bear fixed charges. The government should take note of the problem and gathering limit should be increased to 100 people to bring some relief.”

Surinder Singh, owner of Bagga tent house in Dugri, said, “Tent dealers have been forced to change their vocation. I have started working as a property dealer to make ends meet. While some are selling vegetables, few have become drivers. The residents are not booking tents and caterers due to restrictions on gathering and the future seems dark if the government fails to announce some relief.”