Jammu observes shutdown against the ‘anti-traders’ policies

Jammu: Following the protest call given by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) on September 22, a number of protest rallies were carried out across the city by trade unions against the opening of at least 100 retail stores by Reliance Limited.

All the major shops and markets, including courts, remained closed in the wake of the strike in the province. The strike call received widespread support from all major political parties, including National Conference, National Panthers Party, Congress, CPI (M) and Peoples Democratic Party.

Activists, traders and members of civil society complain that the opening of these retail stores is going to hamper the wholesale and retail business, immensely. According to the JCCI, the business community has largely faced the brunt of “discrimination of highest degree” due to the” directionless” policies implemented by the authorities in Union Territory.

Following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 (A) in August 2019, traders reiterated that their businesses saw a perpetual decline due to political instability and back-to-back shutdowns. Moreover, with the emergence of COVID-19 healthcare crisis, the business sectors of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered thousands of crores of losses. The repeated internet shutdowns, especially in the Kashmir region, were also responsible for the mass unemployment. Last year more than 50,000 youngsters lost their jobs within five months due to “digital aparthied”, rights organisation reported.

Meanwhile, the representatives of the trade bodies have accused the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha’s establishment of amplifying the suffering of the regional business fraternity. “Instead of reviving the existing business establishment by offering some financial support to local wholesalers and retailers, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre is providing opportunities for big companies like Reliance,” Apni Party president Ajaz Kazmi said.

The trade unions that participated in the protest rallies included Traders Federation Warehouse, Apni Party Trade Union, Raghunath Bazar Businessmen’s Association and Chemist Association. The president of JCCI, Arun Gupta, said the Reliance Retail Shops will be generating employment for 500 persons but would snatch the employment opportunities from over 20,000 people, excluding their families which will also be impacted.

This July, the government also took a major decision to end the 149-year-old bi-annual tradition of shifting Jammu and Kashmir secretariat from Srinagar to Jammu, which the trade unions allege was taken arbitrarily against the wishes of people in the Jammu region.

“Our main concern is the impact on locals. At least 50,000 small shopkeepers will be rendered jobless if Reliance opens its retail stores in the region. We will not tolerate any decision which is against the larger interest of the Jammu business community,” Gupta added.

–INDIA NEWS STREAM