Trade associations across the country will not be joining the 'Bharat Bandh' on Friday.
The 'Bharat Bandh' was called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha in support of the 'Delhi Chalo' agitation—a march by farmers of Punjab to New Delhi to urge the Centre to accept their demands, including the enactment of a law guaranteing minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Besides a legal guarantee for MSP, farmers are also demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, farm debt waiver, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act 2013, withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation, and compensation for families of the farmers who died during the previous agitation, among others.
Traders are poised to continue their business operations uninterrupted, a press release from the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said. "The trade associations across the country will not take part in Bharat Bandh and normal business activities will continue in all markets of the country."
CAIT said traders will keep their establishments open during the Bharat Bandh to ensure the availability of essential goods and services to people, and asserted their right to conduct business and support the economy.
CAIT president B.C. Bhartia and secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said traders play a vital role in the nation's economy and so they will keep the shops on to "serve our customers and uphold economic stability."
Highlighting the importance of maintaining normalcy in economic activities, CAIT urged traders across the country to stay vigilant and ensure the safety of their establishments and customers during the Bharat Bandh.
"Traders are encouraged to stay informed about developments related to the Bharat Bandh and take necessary precautions to ensure the smooth functioning of their businesses," CAIT said.