Letter: Textile traders in the city observed the total bandh on Thursday to protest the proposed increase in GST from 5 percent to 12 percent.
Almost all shops in 175 Textile Markets Ring Road, Saroli and Tarafagamar along with more than 70,000 traders remain closed in daylong symbolic attacks.
The textile industry suffered around Rs 150 Crore losses due to daylong strikes.
Not only trading but the transportation of textile goods was also stopped because the transportation association working in the textile market extended support for strikes and services stopped.
Practical roads are empty because of protests in the textile market area when the merchants live far from their workplace.
In some textile market workers appeared to be on duty, but again found the company closed.
“Some traders continue to open their stores and do not support bandh.
However, the number is very few and does not represent the industrial mood,” said a textile trader.
Various weaving associations from various regions in the city and district protested by binding black ribbons on their arms, waving black flags and defeating Thalis.
The weaver association has held a meeting a day in advance and planned to protest.
“The weaving association does not close their units, but supports protests by regulating demonstrations.
We will continue to protest if GST is not maintained at 5 percent,” said Ashok Jirawala, President, the Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association (Fogwha).
The market will start operating normally from Friday.
“The market will start operating from Friday but agitation will continue if the CGST level is not stored at 5 percent,” said Champalal Bothra, Secretary General, Federation of Textile Textile Traders Association (FostTA).