CAIT plans to close all commercial markets on February 26 in 'Bharat Bandh'

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Feb 19, 2021

The Confederation of All India traders announced on February 18 that it will seek to close commercial markets across India for a ‘Bharat Bandh’, as part of its protests to demand GST reform.

“All commercial markets across the country will remain closed and protest dharnas will be organised in different cities of all states,” said CAIT’s secretary general Praveen Khandelwal at a press conference, the Press Trust of India reported. 
 
The action is part of CAIT’s efforts to demand the government amends current goods and service tax regulations, which it has described as “draconian”. CAIT argues that, as GST regulations are so challenging to adhere to, many Indian businesses are struggling and have to pay added expenses for professional help filing tax returns which is affecting their business. 

CAIT shared that the All India Transporters Welfare Association will support the action on February 26 and hold a ‘Chakka Jam’ in solidarity. Khandelwal also shared that 40,000 traders’ associations across India have pledged to support the strike. 
 
CAIT shared that close to 950 amendments have been made to GST regulations since the tax system’s inception four years ago. The traders’ body argues that this has created an untenable compliance burden for businesses.