On Monday, the Federation of Surat Textile Traders' Association (FOSTTA ) wrote a letter to Surat Municipal Corporation Commissioner Smt. Shalini Agarwal, requesting the issuance of guidelines to facilitate the reopening of the sealed Surat Textile Markets.

FOSTTA President Kailash Hakim emphasized the significance of the Surat Textile Markets, the largest in India, which attracts thousands of traders daily from nearby villages. The market was recently sealed by the Surat Municipal Corporation due to the absence of a fire safety No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Building Use Certificate (BUC).

Hakim acknowledged the importance of safety, stating, "It is true that people's lives are more valuable than business and money. We can earn business and money once again, but the safety of personal life is most important."

The sealing of the markets has had a detrimental effect on business and employment. Traders face difficulties as essential documents are locked inside the sealed premises. FOSTTA has requested clear guidelines so traders can complete the necessary paperwork and other requirements to reopen the markets.

The uncertainty following the market's closure has created an atmosphere of anxiety among traders, particularly those from villages outside Surat. The livelihoods of traders and laborers are at stake, and daily operations have been severely disrupted.

In response to these challenges, FOSTTA has urged the Surat Municipal Corporation Commissioner to provide comprehensive guidelines to understand the process of reopening the sealed Surat Textile Markets, ensuring both compliance and the resumption of business activities.