Malls, shops in Pune allowed to open till 9pm

Representatives of political parties had demanded the administration to relax shop timings from 7 pm to 9 pm. BJP leaders and trader unions met the municipal commissioner on Thursday and put forth their demand

Malls, market complexes and shops can remain open till 9 pm from Saturday. The authorities had earlier kept the shop timings from 9 am to 7 pm as part of the restrictions in place to check Covid-19 spread.

A view of an electronic shop, due to the festive season the government has granted to keep the shops open till 9pm in Pune, India, on Friday, October 9, 2020. (Shankar Narayan/HT PHOTO)

Pune municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar on Friday issued the circular allowing shops and malls to remain open till 9 pm.

Representatives of political parties had demanded the administration to relax shop timings from 7 pm to 9 pm. BJP leaders and trader unions met the municipal commissioner on Thursday and put forth their demand.

Mayor Murlidhar Mohol on Friday instructed the municipal commissioner to increase shop opening duration in view of the upcoming festival season.

With the state government allowing hotels and bars to operate dine-in services till 10 pm, traders also sought relaxation in shop timings.

PMC standing committee chairman Hemant Rasne who led the traders from Tulsibaug market said, “Along with Tulsibaug traders, I requested the commissioner to increase the shopping time. With shops allowed to remain open for more time, even customer rush will decrease and help in following the social distancing norms as part of coronavirus prevention norms.”

Municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar said, “PMC had allowed shops and malls to open till 9 pm, but owners need to strictly follow guidelines issued by the state government and civic administration.”