LIVE: Traders declare Bharat Bandh as success, claim loss of Rs 1 trillion

The call for the bandh was given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

4:25 PM

Many market associations support 'Bharat Vyapar bandh' but keep shops open

Various markets in the national capital remained open on Friday during the 'Bharat Vyapar Bandh' called by traders' union with many saying that despite supporting the cause, they did not want to suffer another day of losses.

 

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Thursday had said all commercial markets across the country will remain closed on February 26 in view of its 'Bharat Bandh' call demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime.

 

The CAIT said dharnas (protests) will be held nationwide at 1,500 places to urge the Centre, state governments and the GST Council to keep in abeyance the "draconian" provisions of GST.

4:06 PM

Muted response to Bharat Bandh in Telangana

Protests at few places by the Left parties and trade unions affiliated to them in Telangana marked the 'Bharat Bandh' to protest against the fuel price hike. The shutdown call given by All India Traders' Association evoked poor response in the state. Few shops and business establishments downed shutters in parts of Hyderabad and some other towns.

 

The bandh had no major impact on normal life. Good transport activity, however, came to a halt as the truck owners' association joined the shutdown.

 

As the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) backed the shutdown, the truckers in the state joined too the protest demanding some relief from the Centre.

3:44 PM

Bharat Vyapar Bandh: Shops closed, commercial vehicles off roads in Odisha

Traders across Odisha downed shutters and commercial vehicles remained off the roads in the state in solidarity with the nationwide 12-hour bandh called by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday. The 6 am-6 pm strike is being observed for demanding simplification of the Goods and Services Tax procedure and the e-way bill mechanism, among other issues.

 

Essential services like medicine and milk, however, were kept out of the purview of the bandh, Odisha Byabasayi Mahasangha leader Sudhakar panda said.

 

Special Secretary of Home Department Santosh Bala, in a letter to district collectors and magistrates, also asked officials to ensure that essential services are not affected due to the strike.

3:31 PM

'Bharat Bandh' demonstrations across India against rising fuel prices

3:24 PM

Protesting farmers stop wheat-laden train in Punjab's Moga

A group of farmers protesting against the Centre's three farm laws on Friday stopped a wheat-laden train in Punjab's Moga district. The train was stopped at the Dagru railway station after it came out of a privately-owned grain silo in Dagru village, the police said.

 

The protesting farmers sat down on the tracks, saying they would not allow the train to go out of the state, they added. The move was part of the protesting farmers' agitation against big corporates, said Baldev Singh Zeera, state general secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari).

2:44 PM

We were resolute, strong about protecting our interests: S Jaishankar on border issue

India was strong and resolute when it came to handling the border issue and dealt with it in an effective manner, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday in an apparent reference to the standoff between India and China.

 

Similarly, India also dealt effectively with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact by fashioning its own response after listening to everyone, he said at the inaugural session of the 'Asia Economic Dialogue' organised by the Pune International Centre.

 

"Last year, we had three big developments which all impacted us nationally. They impacted the world as well -- one was COVID-19, the second was its economic impact and the third was the challenges that we found on our border which obviously had implications," the External Affairs Minister said.

2:12 PM

Negligible response to Bharat Bandh call in Uttar Pradesh

The Bharat Bandh call given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday against rising fuel prices, the new e-way bill and Goods and Services Tax (GST) has evoked negligible response in Uttar Pradesh.

 

The All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA) -- the apex body of the organised road transportation companies -- had announced support to the Bandh but in Uttar Pradesh, transporters were apparently divided and in several cities, trucks were seen operating even after the 'chakka jam' began at 6 a.m.

 

"We cannot stall trucks without prior notice. We have commitments to fulfil to our clients and deliver goods on time," said Daljeet Singh, a truck operator from Haryana who was seen with his truck in Lucknow on Friday.

 

Commercial establishments in almost all major cities, including Lucknow, Meerut and Agra, were open on Friday.

1:55 PM

Bharat Bandh call fails to get support in Rajasthan

The Bandh call on Friday given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) against GST and rising fuel prices failed to get any support from the Rajasthan traders, as the markets were functioning smoothly. All markets remained open in Jaipur and traders were seen doing regular business.

 

Seema Sethi, National senior vice-president, CAIT told IANS: "We have given a call to traders for their benefit, but it seems they did not realise its significance and hence have not shown unity.

 

"There are many groups amongst traders and lot of politics is being done. When they will realise the significance of this Bandh, they shall join hands with us," she added.

11:24 AM

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11:04 AM

West Bengal election 2021: Smriti Irani holds roadshow in South 24 Parganas district

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11:01 AM

CAIT has said that all commercial markets across India will remain closed today in view of its 'Bharat Bandh'

Traders' body CAIT has said that all commercial markets across the country will remain closed on February 26 in view of its 'Bharat Bandh' call demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime.

10:40 AM

Bharat Bandh LIVE updates: Latest visuals from West Bengal

10:04 AM

Bharat Bandh LIVE updates: AITWA to hold ‘Chakka Jam’ today

Responding to CAIT’s call for the bandh, nearly 40,000 trade associations, representing eight crore traders of the country, have extended their support. Additionally, the apex body of the organized road transportation companies, the All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA), has also extended their support to the cause and announced they will hold a ‘Chakka Jam’ (road blockade) on the same day.

10:03 AM

GST has resulted in the misery of traders, says CAIT

In a statement, the confederation said that repeated statements from CAIT were ‘never responded to by the GST Council’. Their ignorance thus generated a feeling in the country that the council has ‘its own agenda’ and doesn’t seem to be interested in seeking the cooperation of traders. 

10:02 AM

Samyukta Kisan Morcha appeals to farmers to peacefully participate in 'Bharat Bandh'

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) who are leading anti-farm laws protests along the Delhi borders on Thursday appealed to the farmers to peacefully participate in a 'Bharat Bandh' called by transport and trade unions on February 26.