Hyderabad: Traders from Kashmir, Gujarat, Lucknow and Rajasthan have decided to keep their stalls shut when the Numaish reopens on Saturday, in solidarity with those who lost their goods in Wednesday’s fire, as the Exhibition Society had not compensated them for the loss.
The Exhibition Society on Friday began offering Rs 35,000 to traders whose stalls were gutted in the fire, and Rs 10,000 cash and a cheque for Rs 25,000 were handed over to a few of them. Traders refused to accept the amount, because they were promised compensation.
Mr Mohd Osman of Hyderabad, whose two stalls were destroyed, said the Exhibition Society was returning the rental amount while he had lost goods worth Rs 5 lakh.
The traders who held a series of meetings were said to be upset with the Society. “We are losing hope of getting aid. We are are worried that we might only be given ex-gratia instead of compensation. Revenue officials inquired about the quantum of damage but did not conduct an assessment,” a trader said.
Mr Muzaffar Wani, a trader, said, “When the exhibition resumes, everyone will get busy and those affected will be forgotten.”
He said about 300 Kashmiris had brought their products to the exhibition. “Our people are among those who will lose more.”
Mr Sanjay Ramesh, another trader, said he was ready to accept 50 per cent compensation.
