Memorandum Submitted Highlighting Traders’ Key Issues and Demands
Demands for Pension and Disaster Relief Raised by Business Delegation
Almora :
A delegation of traders led by Mr. Pratesh Kumar Pandey, former Vice President of the Nagar Vyapar Mandal, Almora, submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble State President and Vice President of the Provincial Industries and Trade Representative Board, Uttarakhand, who also holds the status of Minister of State in the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Council, Government of Uttarakhand.
The memorandum emphasized pressing issues and longstanding demands of the trader community in the state.
The primary demand raised by the delegation was the implementation of a pension scheme for traders upon attaining the age of 60, in line with benefits extended to other professional and social groups. Mr. Pandey stated that many traders, after dedicating decades to business, face financial insecurity in old age and therefore deserve inclusion in state-supported pension schemes. Additionally, the delegation urged the government to provide free insurance coverage for traders to offer financial support to families in case of accidental loss or death.
The second major concern highlighted was the inclusion of traders under the disaster relief fund. The delegation pointed out that in the event of disasters like fire, earthquakes, or other unforeseen incidents affecting shops, traders currently receive no aid from the government. They demanded that traders be recognized as eligible beneficiaries for state disaster assistance and be provided with timely financial relief during such crises.
Prominent members present during the submission included Mohan Kanwal, Aman Najjaun, and Rajendra Prasad among others. The delegation appealed to the government to take prompt action on these matters to ensure long-term welfare and economic security of the trader community in Uttarakhand.
