Members of Jorhat Gym Owners and Trainers’ Union on Tuesday staged a protest in front of the Jorhat deputy commissioner’s office demanding reopening of the gymnasiums.
The Union comprising owners and trainers of gymnasiums further demanded that a package be given to them by the government to tide over the crisis due to the lockdown which continued to be extended in view of Covid19 pandemic.
The protesters submitted memorandums to the Assam chief minister, finance minister, Jorhat MP and MLA, through the Jorhat deputy commissioner, seeking reopening of the gymnasiums from June 8 next and seeking announcement of a package by the government for the gymnasium owners and trainers.
In the memorandums, the protesters said as the government directed to close gymnasiums on March 15 (before imposition of lockdown) people, who were earning by running gymnasiums and those employed in the fitness centres, have faced severe financial difficulties in view of their income coming to a standstill.
“We have no money to sustain ourselves as all our savings have dried up in maintaining our families. Monthly rent for premises taken on rent to run the gymnasiums too are pending and owners are also now putting pressure on us to pay up,” the protesters said.
They said the government should at the earliest announce a financial package to save the people running gymnasiums and those employed in the business.
The protesters said the government, which was providing so many relaxations in the fifth lockdown, should allow the gymnasiums to open and operate from June 8 by maintaining social distancing, following hygiene practices and all other related instructions of Covid19 pandemic rules.
They said they would have to open up their gyms on their own if the government does not permit the gymnasiums to open from June 8.
“Survival is at stake,” they said.