The government’s decision to allow businesses countrywide to keep open throughout nights after Ramadan 15 may turn fruitless unless some terms and conditions are relaxed, some shop owners have said.
Only when the condition to keep the air coolers in shops inoperative, such whole night business might be effective, they say.
The new decision came Sunday at a press conference, jointly organised by Dhaka Power Distribution Company and Bangladesh Shop Owners Association.
But the power company came up with some conditions, which include rationing on energy consumption. The shop owners were also asked to halve the use of the required lights and put the mercury lights and air conditioners off during Iftar- Tarabi hours.
This instruction on air conditioners irked many shopkeepers, especially those in AC markets in Dhaka.
“We must run it, as our market’s total ventilation system is run with air conditioner’s support”, said Md Shaiuddin, an attire shop owner at the Basundhara City Shopping Complex, told The Daily Star yesterday.
But every shopkeeper should keep their half of the lights off as it is a matter of national interest, he said, adding that he would personally like to follow that.
Some shopkeepers argued that the chance of whole night business would not lure shoppers because people would not take risk of plying their cars on roads after midnight due to security concerns.
“We’re not worried about shopping mall’s security as we have 24-hour vigilance but a few customers may choose to come avoiding security concerns,”, said Mehedi Hasan, a shopkeeper of the shopping mall.
“After a daylong fasting, who would like to shop throughout the night, “ another shopkeeper flies a question who runs a fast food’s shop at Eastern Plaza in the city’s Hatirpool area.
