BELAGAVI
The bandh declared by traders in Belagavi on Saturday was total and the main city market area in the city took a deserted look as all wholesale and retail foodgrains and grocery shops in the city remained closed.
Barring vegetable shops, the grocery and pulses shops in the APMC wholesale markets too remained shut throughout the day.
Though Saturday is the market day in Belagavi city, the main markets remained closed. City traders have expressed their anger against the Centre by supporting this nationwide bandh which received an overwhelming response. Shops at the busy Ravivar Peth, Ganpat Galli, Central Market and neighbouring areas were shut totally.
Various traders' associations and organisations have condemned the Centre's policy to impose the draconian 5% GST on unpacked food items, groceries, pulses, etc which will result in an additional burden to already burdened consumers and lead to loss to farmers. The organisations have requested the government for a rollback of the GST on these products.
