There is no end for Covid-19 misery for traders, craftsmen in the puja season

Bhubaneswar: Waiting for Durga Puja is almost over.
But the other, wait longer showing signs of intersection – which from Covid to go and normal to return.
For the second year in a row, the hustle and hustle and bustle and majesty associated with Durga Puja will be missed because of covid restrictions.
Even though this must have come as a dampener for warnelers, it affects more traders, craftsmen and craftsmen, those who wait throughout the year to make money during the celebration season.
Purna Chandra Das, Veteran Zari Tableau decorator in Cuttack, is Crestfallen.
In business for the past 64 years, Purna Chandra, popular like Japan Bhai, was very worried about the livelihoods of Zari workers.
“With the height of idol limited to 4 feet, there is no Tablo job this year.
Zari 200-250 workers are unemployed and take small jobs to meet the needs,” said Purna Chandra, who is also the President of the Puja Bazar Formation Committee.
Tarun Kumar Das, the owner of the tent house in Cuttack, hasn’t gotten a lot of business this year too.
Over the past 25 years he and his team will usually take decorations and lighting work on at least three large mandates in the cuttack and other cities during Puja Durga.
“The festive season starts with Puja Ganesh and ends with Purnima Kartik.
This year we have no order.
The worst affected is daily workers,” Tarun said.
In Bhubaneswar too, the income of traders and entrepreneurs has been affected.
Previously, the Puja Committee in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack was used to spend RS 15 Lakh-Rs 50 Lakh and above.
Now even Rs 3 to Rs 4 Lakh per Puja Committee.
There are more than 100 Puja Committees in twin cities.
Poor financial conditions, fear of being infected and increased dependence on online shopping have affected sales in most garment stores.
“Sales in my store fell at least 60%.
The crowd you see in the market usually comes to buy items from street vendors and from shops on the path,” said Kumar Panda Comb, Secretary of the Central Market Association.
In the years of pre-covid, the festive buyers focus on buying electronic goods, footwear, ornaments and clothing, all of which are commodities that are not important.
This year, sales of non-essential items have dropped by 40% and essential commodities such as wholesale goods and fuel by 30%.
“The volume of retail sales per day in 2019 is Rs 1,000 Crore but this year is between Rs 650-Rs 700 Crore,” said Sudhakar Panda, Secretary General Odisha Byabasaee Mahanangh.
“Also, online sales have increased by 30% in Odisha compared to 3% of total sales during the pre-covid years, making a large denting in the income of brick and mortar shops,” he added.