Jalgaon: "Either allow us to open shops or give us financial aid of Rs 10 thousand per month", the Maharashtra Nabhik Mahamandal - the salon shop owners association in the state has demanded to the government. If the demands are not met, then a statewide agitation will be launched from June 8, the association has warned.

The salon shops are closed since March 23 when the countrywide lockdown was imposed. The shop owners are neglected by the government while giving relaxations in lockdown in all phases till now. If shops are not allowed to open, many of the shopkeepers will starve to death, the association has warned in a letter of demands to the government. The association has submitted their demands to district collectors across the state through their respective district coordinators.

The association on April 17 submitted a proposal to the state government to provide PPE kits and other safety gears to all salon shop owners. Yet the government has not taken any decision regarding this. If states like Tamilnadu and Delhi have given conditional permissions to reopen salons and beauty parlours, then why cant the Maharashtra state government permit us? If the government does not act on this demand, then we will protest against their inaction on June 8, the association said.

Associations Divisional President Eknath Shirsath, state committee members Kishor Suryavanshi, Bhikan Borse, Jagdish Nikam, Rahul Jagtap, Ashok Mahale, Jagdish Wagh, women wing members Sunanda Surve, Sangeeta Gavali, Chaya Korde and other representatives were present while submitting the letter to the district collector.