Restart public transport, not liquor stores: Vizianagaram daily wagers

VIZIANAGARAM: People of

Vizianagaram

are perplexed with the district administration’s decision to open

liquor

stores and not lift the lockdown or allow public

transport

in the district. Vizianagaram district is the only green zone in the state and has not reported any Covid-19 cases.

Most residents of the district are daily wage-earners. Without work, many have exhausted all their savings. They have been unable to move from one place to another in search of work due to curbs on public transport. Consequently, the decision to open liquor stores instead of lifting curbs on public transport has raised questions.

B Anji Naidu, a daily wage worker in Arikithota in Vizianagaram said, “What is the point of opening liquor stores and allowing us to buy alcohol? We need money to buy alcohol in the first place.”

Daily wage workers are worried that they will soon run out of their savings. A section of people feel that opening up of liquor stores could be counterproductive since the district shares borders with Odisha and Visakhapatnam, where cases have been reported.

Upon being asked about its response to the concerns, the district administration simply said that the government is yet to relax public transport curbs.

District collector M Hari Jawaharlal said, “Free movement of people is allowed. Cabs and auto-rickshaws are allowed to move within the district. Movement of people should not be hindered.” He clarified that people are allowed to move around only until 7pm.


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