BELAGAVI
Traders in Belagavi have called a bandh on Saturday to protest against the Goods and Services Tax that has been imposed on food grains, grocery and pulses by the central government and have appealed to Goans not to visit Belagavi to purchase grains and groceries on account of the bandh.
Even though Belagavi is scheduled to have the weekly market day on Saturday, all wholesale and retail shops dealing with food grains and other related items are expected to remain shut.
The Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) has also supported the bandh call given by traders on Saturday and has submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner’s office at Belagavi, requesting officials to convey the decision of the traders to the higher authorities.
A meeting of traders was held late Thursday evening at the auditorium of Basaveshwar bank here to discuss the issue. They complained that the decision by the Centre to levy GST on food grains is unfair and unjustified, as it would add to the burden of common man who is already reeling under the rising inflation.
The traders have also warned to intensify their agitation if the central government does not rethink about its decision of levying the GST on food grains.
