Partial impact of trade bandh in Kolkata

The trade bandh, called on Friday by a section of traders’ organisations, is having a partial impact across Kolkata. Some of the traders have pulled down their shutters but on the average market is open.

The majority of the traders and transporters organizations in the state are opting out of the strike that, they feel, should be the last resort. Most of the organisations, support the cause of a tweak in GST but oppose the method of calling a bandh.

The president of the Confederation of West Bengal Trade Association, Sushil Poddar, said, “The trading community already suffered huge losses due to the pandemic and the lockdown, so we do not feel that the strike is a solution for it.”
The secretary of the Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators’ Association, Sajal Ghosh, said, “We are supporting the cause but not taking part in the strike.”

However, Calcutta Goods Transport Association’s general secretary, Sunil Agarwal, said, “E-way bills and diesel price rise have hit us. We are taking part in the strike in letter and spirit.”