Traders ''bandh'' against octroi evokes mixed response

Ahmedabad, Nov 1 (UNI) The ''bandh'' called by the Gujarat Vyapari Hitrakshak Samiti (GVHS), a traders association, to protest against octroi imposition, evoked mixed response here today.

While the wholesale market observed a complete closure, the response from retailers was partial. Retail traders in electronics, hardware and furniture observed a ''bandh'' in areas like Gheekanta, Relief road, SG highway and Ashram road. But, many shops, which had downed their shutters in the morning, opened later in the afternoon.

Mr Jayendra Tanna, GVHS convenor, informed that a ''bandh'' will be observed on November 9 too in the municipal corporations areas of Vadodara, Surat, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Junagadh and Ahmedabad.

The GVHS is protesting against the State Government's move to levy octroi in the newly merged areas of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. ''We feel betrayed and cheated by the false promises of this government about abolishing octroi,'' Mr Tanna said. Recently one lakh postcards were sent to Chief Minister Narendra Modi protesting against the octroi levy.

UNI VNB MAZ AW1929