Jammu, 22-Sep; Normal economical activities remain affected in Jammu due to traders bandh call against the proposed opening of 100 Reliance retail stores in Jammu, a claim which the company termed as false.The protesters said that they are facing a wide range of issues that had been confronted by them after abrogation of state’s special status but the latest trigger is reports of Reliance retail setting up 100 stores in Jammu.CCI, Jammu Arun Gupta said that the move is aimed at pressurizing the UT administration to stop torturing the Jammu traders in one way or other.We don’t have one issue. We have issues,” said JCCI president Arun Gupta. “The reliance stores are coming up in Jammu. The reliance is not opening one store but hundreds. Where will our small traders go?” Gupta asked. “The reliance has infrastructure. It has manpower. How come small traders compete with it? They will give jobs to 1000 youths of Jammu but 20,000 small shops will get closed. Where will they go? We will not accept it,” Gupta who was flanked by members of different trade associations of Jammu said.The protest was supported by opposition parties like PDP, Congress etc. The parties said that issues like unemployment were not sorted by the Modi government.The Jammu transporters also joined the protests and said that it’s not for traders only but for every stake holder of Jammu.Citing example of ending 150 old practices of Darbar Move, Arun said for the past eight months Jammu trade is being disturbed by the government and the tragedy is there is no debate and discussion with the business community. He said the decisions are taken in closed rooms and orders are issued and Jammu trade is being put to a severe test.He said the government is not willing to meet and discuss issues with trade bodies forcing them to call for Jammu bandh.(CNS)
