Kathmandu June 4:

– Nepal National Traders’ Federation (NNTF) is to open shops throughout the country today by maintaining social distance. The Federation, through a press release on Wednesday evening, stated that it has decided to open the shops from today itself citing problem in payment of house rent, bank instalment and salary of employees due to the closure of business and industry since 72 days during the lockdown.

Federation president Naresh Katuwal said they have taken this step as the government has not shown any interest so far in lifting or easing the lockdown and taking into account the risk of the traders and businessmen losing their livelihood and giving up their profession. “We are compelled to open shops and operate our business as the government has been pressing the traders and entrepreneurs, who are in desperate situation due to the lockdown, to pay tax,” he stated.

The Federation has stated that the shops would be operated by using gloves, masks and sanitizer and maintaining social distance as determined by the World Health Organization. It also said that the government should take the responsibility of the house rent, tax, the bank interest and the employees’ salary owed by the traders and business people in case there is any obstruction or pressure from the state agencies to close shops and business. Twenty one various trade and business associations across the country are affiliated to the Federation.