Most shops in Nagpur to remain closed today

Nagpur: All major trade organizations in the city have extended their support to the Nagpur bandh called by Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) on Wednesday. All shops, except groceries and pharmacies, will remain closed.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, NVCC president Ashwin Mehadia said organizations like Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA), Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA), Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade (CAMIT), Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) etc have extended support to the bandh.
“Wholesale grain market will be closed, but neighbourhood groceries and pharmacies will remain open as they come under the essential services. However, owners will work wearing black armbands,” said Mehadia.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, BJP’s trade cell also announced its support to the bandh.
The traders are up in arms against municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s order asking them to obtain trade licence. Obtaining the licence is a cumbersome procedure and will require no objection certificates (NOCs) from several agencies. Moreover, the shop owner will have to issue a public notice seeking permission from neighbours to do business. They will also have to pay a hefty fee to the NMC.
Mayor Sandip Joshi has included the issue of trade licence in the agenda of general body meeting of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to be held on August 20. BJP is likely to overrule the commissioner’s decision.
Mehadia said the bandh was to exert pressure on corporators of all political parties to overrule Mundhe’s decision. “We have elected them and they have a moral responsibility to protect our interests,” he added.
A trade leader said shopkeepers would sustain loss due to the bandh but they were willing to bear it for the sake of future. “If this trade licence rule is implemented, it will cause untold harassment to shopkeepers and hence we are ready to take a hit,” he added.