On the call given by the Punjab Wholesale Cloth Merchants Association, members of its Bathinda unit today observed a day-long strike over the cane-charging on protesting cloth traders in Surat. The association had earlier announced to go on a three-day strike from today but due to difference of opinion among the traders, the plan could not be carried out. Instead of three days, it was decided to observe strike and protest for a day. However, in the evening, cloth traders called a meeting to build consensus over the issue. As per information, in the meeting of the association held in Ludhiana recently, it was decided to observe strike on July 4, 5 and 6. Some wholesale cloth traders were of the opinion that they should close their shops from 10 am to 1 pm, after which they could keep their shutters down but could do their record-related work inside the shops. However, others said they should keep their shops closed for the whole day. During the protest today, some shops remained open as traders did not join the protest. Shopkeepers were also seen making allegations against each other during the protest. Cloth trader Ajit Singh said today they staged protest against the cane-charge on cloth traders during the protest against GST at Surat. “There is infighting among cloth traders. Some wanted to observe strike from 10 am to 1 pm while others wanted to shut shops throughout the day,” he added. He said no wholesale trader had opened his shops while those who opened shops were retail traders. The meeting over further course of action and building consensus among themselves over the protest was on till the filling of the report. Difference of opinion The association had earlier announced to go on a three-day strike from Tuesday but due to difference of opinion among the traders, the plan could not be carried out as it was originally conceived. Some wholesale cloth traders were of the opinion that they should close their shops from 10 am to 1 pm, after which they could keep their shutters down but could do their record-related work inside the shops
[Source”indianexpress”]
