Rajasthan: Traders against both shutdown, inflation
Trade bodies have extended support to the protests, but are not in favour of bringing the shutters down
Caught amid frequent shutdowns, traders do not want their business to get affected by it. The trade bodies though have extended support to protests organised against inflation, they are not convinced over a complete shutdown.
The Rajasthan Truck Transporter Operator Union extended support to the bandh, but only to a certain extent. “The rise in diesel prices directly impact our business. We will wear black bands in protest and keep offices closed. But the trucks on road will not be halted,” said spokesperson of the union.
Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry too shared the dilemma between protest of escalating prices and shutting down of business. The traders’ body on the eve of the shutdown demanded an immediate relief in the fuel prices, but was not keen on closing the business.
“We support the protest against rise in prices of diesel and petrol that have an adverse impact on trade and industry. However, the industries are unlikely to keep shutters down in protest,” said Arun Agarwal, senior vice president FORTI
Congress has already excluded emergency, health and education activities from its shutdown. It has thus been the local traders and retail markets that are expected to be affected the most. “We are not part of any political movement and are affected by the rising prices. We want a solution. These shutdowns have been too frequent recently,” said a city businessmen. The Congress, meanwhile, has claimed support of nearly 300 traders and citizen bodies of Rajasthan for its nationwide bandh. The party has instructed its leaders to keep the protest peaceful and make it a success by garnering public support.
ON A WAR FOOTING
Congress workers took out rally in Jaipur on Sunday afternoon in support of the shutdown on Monday. Moreover, senior party leader Kumari Shailja was in the city to oversee preparations of the protest in the state. Shailja hurled allegations on the BJP government in the state and Center, holding their policies responsible for the inflation.