Stay home as Ahmedabad is bandh today

Most traders’ bodies in Ahmedabad are backing Thursday’s bandh call given by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and other opposition parties to protest against the Union government decision to allow 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, hike in diesel prices and corruption under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA-II) regime.

The BJP, which is part of the NDA, is up in arms against the Union government’s decisions, saying FDI in retail would be fatal to local traders. National BJP leaders will fly down to the state on Thursday to bolster support to the strike.

While main wholesale and retail markets in the city including those on CG Road, Gandhi Road, Relief Road, Kalupur, Manek Chawk will down shutters, a few mall and multiplex owners remained in a dilemma on Wednesday.

“Markets in areas like Relief Road, Manek Chowk, Lati Bazaar, Kalupur, Gandhi Road and Madhupura will remain closed,” said Jayendra Tanna, convenor of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Gujarat chapter.

Several traders’ bodies such as Gujarat Garment Manufacturers Association (GGMA), Gujarat Hardware Merchants Association, Ahmedabad Grain Merchants Association etc have issued circulars asking their members to support the bandh call.

More than 350 shops on CG Road too will not do business. “The Centre's decision to allow FDI in retail will have negative impact on small traders in the country. One may not realise the immediate impact, but five years later, they will be beaten by competition from organised retail,” said Jitendra Chauhan, CG Road Shop Owners’ Association.

Surprisingly, the apex body of trade and commerce in the state— Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry—remained undecided on its stand. “We have asked our members to take a call on their own,” said GCCI president Prakash Bhagwati.

Meanwhile, some malls in the city have voluntarily decided to shut shop, while others will see how things unfold. Future Group's retail formats, including Big Bazaar, will open depending on the situation. “We are undecided. If the situation requires it, we will down shutters,” said zonal head, Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd, Anand Adukia.

Alpha One mall has, however, decided to remain closed. “The entire mall will remain closed on Thursday in support of the local government,” said a mall official.

The Multiplex Owners’ Association said it had not taken a decision. “We have not taken a decision at the association-level, but Wide Angle will remain closed. Others are free to decide,” said association president Manubhai Patel, who is also the owner of Wide Angle multiplex.