Traders and retailers in West Bengal observed a day long strike on Saturday protesting the introduction of VAT from April 1. However, bigger than usual crowds were noticed at departmental stores and malls like Westside and Pantaloons which were outside the strike. Customers flocked to these stores for general shopping that could not be put off. Food markets remained mostly open as well.
The protest bandh was called by the Joint Committee of West Bengal Trade Bodies which is an apex body of trading community in the state.