The Confederation of Traders of India (CAIT) called for a Bharat bandh today (February 26) demanding a review of the goods and services tax regime, the provisions of which traders say are “complicated”, “regressive” and “draconian” . The merchants body claims that some 40,000 merchants associations across the country have extended their support.
Mahendra Arya, national chairman of the All India Shipper Welfare Association (AITWA), said that all transport companies are requested to park their vehicles on Friday as a symbolic protest. “All transportation stops will display protest signs. Transportation companies will approach all customers so that they do not reserve or load any merchandise on Friday, ”he said.
Suresh Khosla, Secretary of the Bombay Freight Transport Association (BGTA), said: “BGTA has been petitioning the government for various matters from the transport industry, mainly on issues of E-Way invoices not viable under GST and pricing policy. unviable diesel. Our officials have also been meeting with government officials regularly to explain their problems; however, no resolution or respite has ever been provided. “
CAIT and AITWA did not participate in the December Bharat bandh call for farmers protesting against the Center’s three farms law. In a joint statement, CAIT and AITWA had said that no farmer association had approached them to join the bandh. Farmers, like traders and transporters, are an important part of the national economy and therefore immediate steps are needed to solve their problems, the statement read.
Bandh’s call was most widely responded to in Punjab and Haryana, where roads were blocked and markets were closed. The shutdown, backed by most opposition parties and trade unions, also had some impact in states like Odisha, Maharashtra and Bihar.
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