Bengal allows sweet shops to remain open for 8 hrs amid lockdown; BJP takes a swipe

In a controversial move, West Bengal government has decided to extend window for sweet shops to remain open for eight hours w, amid Coronavirus lockdown. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that sweet shops will be allowed to operate from 8 am to 4 pm every day as opposed to government's earlier allowance of shops to operate for four hours from 12 on to 4 pm.

Bengal has so far reported 231 confirmed cases of COVID-19 of which 42 patients have recovered while seven have died due to infection. Kolkata, Howrah, Medinipur East and rth 24 Pargana are major hotspot districts in State with large outbreaks, according to Union Health Ministry.

READ | Mamata Govt Allows Opening Of Mishti Shops In West Bengal Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

BJP takes a swipe

decision soon invited political heat with BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra wondering when has sweet shops "become an essential service?" and taking a swipe at Mamata over subject. On Twitter, Patra wrote: "From when has “Sweet” become an essential service? Hope this “Sweetness” doesn’t turn Lockdown into “Sourness”!!"

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Only take-away facility

In an order last month,  West Bengal government allowed sweetmeat shops to operate with minimum staff during lockdown. Even as 'mishti' shops do t fall in list of essential food items, Mamata Banerjee government has said that y will be allowed to operate everyday for 4 hours and only take-away facility will available. 

READ | Health Ministry Says COVID-19 Recovery Rate At 12%, Mortality Rate At 3.3%

Sweet makers wrote to CM Banerjee

Mamata Banerjee government took  step after sweet-makers in State wrote to her earlier, requesting y be allowed to open ir shops. As per reports, Paschimbanga Mistanna Byabasayi Samiti had mailed a letter to chief minister’s office, urging CM to allow m to operate ir shops, citing restaurants, which have been allowed to cater to take away orders. letter also said that hundreds of litres of milk were being wasted due to a halt in operations.

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