Jammu traders call for 'bandh' on Nov 6

The traders of the Jammu region today gave a call for bandh here on November 6 to protest against the continuation of toll tax on goods imported from outside the state.

The bandh call was given by Neeraj Anand, President, Chamber of Traders Federation (CTF), here today.

Anand called upon all trade organisations to lend their full support in making the 'Jammu bandh' successful.

Regretting the inconvenience to the consumers and commuters, Anand told reporters here that trade community is utterly dismayed by the adamant stand of the state government and bureaucracy for the last four months.

"CTF was left with no alternative but to call for the extreme step of Jammu bandh," he said.
 

This happened in spite of the fact that so many representations were made to chief minister, deputy chief minister, finance minister, concerned officials and presidents of political parties, Neeraj said.

Representation given to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on his recent visit to Jammu and his personal displeasure expressed to BJP leadershas also made little impact on the state government, Anand said.

"Implementation was done but call it the political expediency that the bill in present shape has once again brought about mismatch of rates on account of toll tax as compared to the neighbouring states thus making goods costlier for the consumersof Jammu and Kashmir, something that was least expected in the uniform GST Law," he said.

Anand sincerely urged upon trade organisations, civil society groups, transporters, industrial federations and conscientious political leaders and other stakeholders to support this initiative and force the government to see the reasoning on abolition of toll Tax.

He also demanded that the state government should declare the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, as a state holiday.

Anand further warned that the government shall positively respond to the demand and avoid any unfortunate situation.