দোকানপাট রাত ১০টা পর্যন্ত খোলা রাখার দাবিতে প্রধানমন্ত্রীর কাছে চিঠি ব্যবসায়ীদের

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has formally requested the Prime Minister to extend the operating hours for retail outlets and shopping malls until 10:00 PM. Currently, these businesses are required to close by 7:00 PM, a directive that owners claim is severely hampering their ability to generate sufficient revenue. According to the association, the current time constraints make it difficult for working professionals to complete their shopping, leading to a significant decline in sales. Furthermore, the business owners highlighted that the existing restrictions are making it increasingly difficult to cover operational costs, such as rent, utility bills, and employee salaries. They argue that extending the hours until 10:00 PM would not only stabilize the livelihoods of approximately 7 million workers but also boost government revenue through increased economic activity. The government had previously implemented earlier closing times as a measure to conserve energy amid global fuel crises, although temporary extensions were granted during the Eid-ul-Adha period.

This request highlights the ongoing tension between national energy conservation policies and the economic survival of the retail sector, which employs millions of people.