Covid-19 curbs: Bombay HC seeks reply of state, BMC on reliefs for traders

The court's directive came on a plea filed by a traders' body, which stated that the lockdown has led to "heavy losses and financial instability and mass unemployment" in the retail sector dealing in non-essential items.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file a reply on what help they are providing to the retail traders whose shops have been shut due to the coronavirus-induced curbs in the state. The division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and M J Jamdar was hearing a plea filed by the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association. Advocate Jamshed Mistry, appearing for the traders' body, pointed out that hawkers were being given monetary help by the state while the shopkeepers of non-essential goods didn't get any relief. The petition said the lockdown has led to "heavy losses and financial instability and mass unemployment" in the retail sector dealing in non-essential items.