The Hindu : Traders' hartal total

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Traders' hartal total

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE MARCH 31. Business and trading activities came to a standstill in Kozhikode district today following the 48-hour State-wide hartal called by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithy (KVVES).

The hartal was total as shops and other business establishments downed their shutters, with the main trading centres in the region, Valiyangadi, and the wholesale markets at Vadakara and Koilandy wearing a deserted look.

Talking to The Hindu here today, the KVVES State general secretary and district president, K. Hassan Koya, who along with the State president, T. Nazeerudin, and 30 other members of the samithhy is on a 48-hour hunger strike in front of the Collectorate, said the hartal was total in the district.

``According to reports, the hartal was total in other districts of the State also. A similar hartal is being observed by traders in other parts of the country. Traders in Kerala are protesting against the value-added tax (VAT), besides the proposed Kerala Buildings Lease Bill 2002, the hike in power tariffs and PFA licence fee. We are also protesting against the reported move by the State Government to reintroduce food licence, which has been abolished by the Centre.''

Mr. Koya said a decision on VAT was expected at a meeting of State Finance Ministers proposed to be held in New Delhi on April 8. Traders were planning to hold a rally in New Delhi under the aegis of the all India association, Bharata Udyoga Vyapari Samithy.

He said that petrol pumps, private bus operators, cinema halls, etc., would participate in the hartal on April 1, under the aegis of the Kerala Entrepreneurs Forum.

The S.M. Street unit president of the samithy, C.P. Abdul Rahiman, maintained that despite repeated appeals, the UDF Government had failed to have a sympathetic attitude towards the traders or to create a forum for dialogue. Under the circumstances, the traders had no other option but to resort to agitational tactics.

In an already unenviable market situation, the traders were being penalised through draconian laws and this would further cripple business. The sum to be paid for PFA licence by petty shop vendors had been hiked from Rs.6 to Rs. 250, and from Rs.12 to Rs.500, which was unjustifiable on any count. Such an approach would further alienate the trading community, which formed an integral part of the State.

Hunger strike

Our Staff Reporter writes from Palakkad:

Shops and markets remained closed here in response to the hartal call. Traders led by the samithy district president, Jobby Chungath, are on a hunger strike before the Collectorate from Monday to press their demand.

Near total

Our Staff Reporter writes from Kasaragod:

The hartal called by the Kerala Entrepreneurs Forum, the joint action council of traders and businessmen, was near total in the district. Except a few in the new bus stand area and those affiliated to the non-striking union, almost all shops remained closed for the day. A few shops in the interiors parts were reported open.

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