A delegation from the Belgaum Traders Forum submits a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner M G Hiremath.
BELAGAVI
With business affected due to severe inconvenience faced by commuters from Goa and Maharashtra while entering Belagavi, the Belgaum Traders Forum (BTF) has urged Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai to withdraw the RT-PCR negative report compulsion.
Commuters from neighbouring states have to produce an RT-PCR negative report of not more than 72 hours at the border before entering Belagavi.
A memorandum demanding a withdrawal of this compulsion was submitted to Deputy Commissioner M G Hiremath on Wednesday to withdraw the compulsion, claiming that these restrictions have not only caused huge inconvenience to travellers but have also led to malpractices at the check posts.
Citing out the inconvenience resulting a huge recession in Belagavi market, traders have urged CM Bommai to withdraw the RT-PCR negative report compulsion.
“You are aware of the fact that Belagavi market largely depends on customers from Belagavi whereas Goa, Kolhapur and Konkan region depend on Belagavi for the supply of milk, vegetables, chicken and eggs, flowers etc.,” stated the memorandum.
“Moreover, Goa is an international tourist destination. Hence, a large number of commuters travel to Belagavi and vice versa. However, the RT-PCR negative compulsion is causing huge inconvenience to commuters and losses to traders, suppliers, transporters, tourists etc affecting the market economy.”
“Moreover, there is a big awareness among people about Covid preventive measures. Hence, we urge you to withdraw the RT-PCR negative report compulsion at the interstate borders with immediate effect,” the traders stated in their memorandum.
Satish Tendulkar, who was heading the delegation, has warned that if this compulsion is not withdrawn, Belagavi market which has incurred huge losses, is likely to collapse and this would adversely affect the economy of the region.
Tendulkar along with Sevantilal Shah, Rajkumar Khoda, Vikas Kalghatgi, Arun Kulkarni and others submitted the memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Hiremath.
Hiremath assured the delegation that apart from forwarding the memorandum to the chief minister, he would also discuss the matter with state authorities and initiate measures towards withdrawal of the RT-PCR negative report compulsion.
