Deepavali canopy price is exorbitant, lament traders
BernamaPublished: Oct 11, 2014 2:40 AM | Updated: Oct 11, 2014 2:42 AM
The Malaysian Indian Textiles and General Stores Association (Mita) has described the price of ‘Deepavali tents’ sold by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) to traders as exorbitant.
The Malaysian Indian Textiles and General Stores Association (Mita) has described the price of ‘Deepavali tents’ sold by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) to traders as exorbitant.
Its secretary Maheswary Ramasamy claimed that many Deepavali traders in Klang’s Little India had complained that the RM250 foldable canopy was of low quality and could easily collapse.
“The brisk business that traders used to enjoy during the festive season would be affected.
“MPK can always provide the tents for rental and not force traders to purchase them at a higher price as these do not last.
“The tents will only be used by traders for two weeks until the eve of Deepavali which falls on Oct 22,” she told Bernama in Klang.
Maheswary said in previous years, some 160 traders in Klang’s Little India had the option of renting good quality canopies from local suppliers.
She said the current 10 ft x 10 ft foldable canopies were too low, besides being a hindrance for traders to erect a wooden platform on the ground to protect their goods particularly in the event of floods in Jalan Pulasan in Klang.
“Shopkeepers have no choice but to purchase the tent just to prevent other petty traders from taking up stall lots in front of their shops.
“With the RM250 tent, traders now have to fork out a total of RM1,070 for each stall lot besides paying RM140 to do business at their respective platforms for two weeks,” she said.
She also suggested that the RM300 rate imposed by MPK on each Deepavali trader for the cleaning works at Klang Little India be reduced to RM100.
“We have some 160 stalls in Klang Little India and it’s illogical for MPK to spend RM48,000 (RM300 X 160 stalls) just to clean up Little India after the shopping season.”
Maheswary said she had written to Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali requesting of the authorities not to close the Tengku Kelana road during the Deepavali festive season for the convenience of shoppers.
Meanwhile, MPK in a statement maintained that the RM250''B’ grade canopy was of good quality and affordable, and a solution to traders’ alleged grouses of substandard and irregular design canopies.
- Bernama
Its secretary Maheswary Ramasamy claimed that many Deepavali traders in Klang’s Little India had complained that the RM250 foldable canopy was of low quality and could easily collapse.
“The brisk business that traders used to enjoy during the festive season would be affected.
“MPK can always provide the tents for rental and not force traders to purchase them at a higher price as these do not last.
“The tents will only be used by traders for two weeks until the eve of Deepavali which falls on Oct 22,” she told Bernama in Klang.
Maheswary said in previous years, some 160 traders in Klang’s Little India had the option of renting good quality canopies from local suppliers.
She said the current 10 ft x 10 ft foldable canopies were too low, besides being a hindrance for traders to erect a wooden platform on the ground to protect their goods particularly in the event of floods in Jalan Pulasan in Klang.
“Shopkeepers have no choice but to purchase the tent just to prevent other petty traders from taking up stall lots in front of their shops.
“With the RM250 tent, traders now have to fork out a total of RM1,070 for each stall lot besides paying RM140 to do business at their respective platforms for two weeks,” she said.
She also suggested that the RM300 rate imposed by MPK on each Deepavali trader for the cleaning works at Klang Little India be reduced to RM100.
“We have some 160 stalls in Klang Little India and it’s illogical for MPK to spend RM48,000 (RM300 X 160 stalls) just to clean up Little India after the shopping season.”
Maheswary said she had written to Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali requesting of the authorities not to close the Tengku Kelana road during the Deepavali festive season for the convenience of shoppers.
Meanwhile, MPK in a statement maintained that the RM250''B’ grade canopy was of good quality and affordable, and a solution to traders’ alleged grouses of substandard and irregular design canopies.
- Bernama
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