Traders in Pune hold daylong 'bandh'

The bandh called by traders in Pune, to protest against proposed foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector, was partially successful. While the main market areas in the city were closed, business went on as usual in other parts of the city. 

Jewellery and cloth shops on Laxmi Road were closed. Even the traders in Tulsibaug market participated in the bandh.

The Poona Merchants’ Chamber organised a scooter rally from Market Yard to the Collector’s office via Timber Market, Bhavani Peth, Nana Peth, Laxmi Road, Sonya Maruti Chowk, Kasba Peth, Bajirao Road and Rasta Peth. A memorandum was presented to the officers.

President of the chamber, Ajit Sethiya said, “Except for saloons and medical shops, the bandh was successful because other small traders participated. Markets on Laxmi Road, Raviwar Peth, Nana Peth and Rasta Peth took part in the agitation.”

He said that associations of electrical traders, cloth traders and other small traders supported the bandh, as they all felt that imposing the decision without taking the retailers in confidence was wrong. 

However, shops in Mahatma Phule Mandai were doing business as usual. Traders in areas other than the Peth areas and some parts of Pune Cantonment continued with normal business.