Bharat Bandh Today Live Updates: Transporters, Traders, Farmers Unions to Protests Against Fuel Price Hike, GST

Transporters across the country have been using the latest amendment in the GST laws, which has halved the validity of the E-way bill, a permit associated with the inter-State and intra-State movement of goods, from 100 km per day, to 200 km per day, reported PTI. 

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that not only traders but even small industries, hawkers, and women entrepreneurs among others will also join the bandh. Furthermore, associations of chartered accountants and tax advocates have also supported the strike and have informed their clients not to visit their offices on Friday.

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: As per reports, the national president of AITWA, Mahendra Arya has asked all transport companies to park their vehicles between 6 am to 8 pm as a symbolic protest. All transport godowns will also be displaying the protest banners. In addition, all customers will be approached by transport companies not to book or load any goods for the day.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha appeals to farmers to peacefully participate in 'Bharat Bandh' | The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) who are leading anti-farm laws protests along the Delhi borders on Thursday appealed to the farmers to peacefully participate in a 'Bharat Bandh' called by transport and trade unions on February 26.

On Sunday, the Confederation of All India Traders even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising issues related to the GST regime and alleging violation of e-commerce rules by major e-tailer companies.

Bharat Bandh on February 26: Indian Traders’ Body to Protest Against Rising Fuel Prices, GST and E-Way Bill

“The GST needs to be simplified’ to the extent that even a small trader operating his from remote area/s should also be able to comply with GST without any external help,”

  
GST has resulted in the misery of traders, cited CAIT | In a statement, the confederation said that repeated statements from CAIT were ‘never responded to by the GST Council’. Their ignorance thus generated a feeling in the country that the council has ‘its own agenda’ and doesn’t seem to be interested in seeking the cooperation of traders. 

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: Both of the above associations have demanded the abolition of the new E-Way Bill. They have also urged the government to roll back heavy taxes on fuel prices, especially diesel, and make it uniform pan India.

AITWA to hold ‘Chakka Jam’ on February 26 | Responding to CAIT’s call for the bandh, nearly 40,000 trade associations, representing eight crore traders of the country, have extended their support. Additionally, the apex body of the organized road transportation companies, the All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA), has also extended their support to the cause and announced they will hold a ‘Chakka Jam’ (road blockade) on the same day.

The bandh is being observed by the traders across the country who are demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime. It is also demanding the rectification of glitches in e-commerce by the govt for preventing the violation of law by foreign e-commerce companies. 

Bharat Bandh Live Updates: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) will be observing Bharat Bandh or a nationwide shutdown today against Goods and Services Tax (GST), rising fuel prices, the E-Way Bill among other issues.