New Delhi: Over eight lakh traders are likely to join Bharat the Vyapar Bandh today. The bandh has been called to protest against arbitrary regulations and changes in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and alleged norm violations by e-commerce giants.
Earlier, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an umbrella body which has called for the strike, said that over eight crore traders belonging to more than 40,000 trade associations across India will observe the Bharat Vyapar Bandh to protest against some of the “draconian, arbitrary and critical” amendments made recently in GST rules.
It will also urge the government to rectify glitches in e-commerce for preventing violation of law by foreign e-commerce companies.
AITWA announced ‘Chakka Jam’
The All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA), an apex body of one crore transporters, have already supported the strike and has also announced a ‘Chakka Jam’ by the transport sector on Friday all over India.
CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said that not only traders but even small industries, hawkers, and women entrepreneurs among others will also join the bandh Further, associations of chartered accountants and tax advocates have are also supporting the strike and have informed their clients not to visit their offices on Friday.
Dharna in 1500 towns, cities
Khandelwal further said that on Friday, as a mark of protest, a dharna will be held in more than 1,500 towns and cities across states and that no traders will login to GST portal to register their protest.
In order to avoid inconvenience to general public, shops of essential services such as pharmacies, milk, vegetable etc. have been excluded from the bandh, he added.
National President of CAIT BC Bhartia said that around 1500 organizations belonging to various states of the countries will join the bandh.
With inputs from agencies