Barring ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, almost every political party of Jammu and Kashmir Monday supported the Bandh Call given by trader’s body on September 22 against the setting up of 100 retail outlets by Reliance company alone in Jammu.
National Conference today announced its support to the Jammu Bandh on September 22, called by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu against the alleged “anti-trade and commerce moves of the administration.”
“National Conference has all along stood for safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and will continue so with a sense of commitment”, NC spokesperson said in a statement issued from Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while extending full solidarity with the trade, commerce, and industry.
The spokesman expressed the hope that the administration will see reason in its anti-business and anti-poor policies and take corrective measures, rather than coming up with move after move that hurt the overall interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Peaceful protests by way of bandhs is a democratic way of registering anguish over the governmental policies”, the spokesperson said and urged the administration to roll back the decisions which are against the “legitimate interests of trade and commerce.”
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers party leadership also extended full support and solidarity with the small, medium, and self-employed shopkeepers, retail en traders, who have given call for total Bandh on September 22 in entire Jammu province in protest against the opening of 100 Reliance Stores here only to break backbone of poor business class of Dogras.
As per statement, an emergent meeting here today at Jammu under Chairmanship of JKNPP President Prof Bhim Singh wherein the leadership criticised the local and national leadership of BJP and the Union Government for initiating all such economic activities which break the backbone of Jammu people.
“Opening of 100 retail stores in Jammu province alone by Reliance amounts to high cheating of small traders and self-employed educated youth,” the JKNPP said.
Apni Party, Provincial President, Jammu, Manjit Singh has extended support to the Jammu bandh call on September 20, 2021 which is given by the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu.
In a statement to the press, Manjit Singh said that Apni Party extends support to the demands of Jammu business community which has suffered a lot from the last three years and now, with the report of opening of Reliance Stores in Jammu.
Criticizing the opening of high-profile stores in Jammu, he said that it will have adverse impact on the whole sellers and small retailers of Jammu province who are already facing problems due to low business prospects.
“Jammu traders have suffered from the last three years and the Govt. instead of taking decisions in their favour, if permits opening of Reliance stories it will have a direct adverse effect on the business community,” he said.
He further said that the hundreds of families are dependents upon the trade and thousands of employees are associated with the trade which is facing negligence from the Govt.
“The Govt. must come clear over the decision and do not compel the businessmen towards the wall. It is unfortunate and the Reliance should not be allowed to open such stores in Jammu,” he said.
He said that the Apni Party supports the demands of the businessmen and will leave no stone unturned to highlight their demand so that it can be accepted.
“Therefore, we support a peaceful Bandh Call in Jammu,” he further said. Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party also extended support to Traders. As per press release, a delegation of DSSP led by its president Ch. Lal Singh visited the office of Chamber of commerce to listen to the grievances of the business community.
Leaders of the chamber of commerce briefed Ch. Lal Singh about their issues and asked for the support of DSSP.
Ch. Lal Singh while responding to the business community said that I have always stood for the cause of Jammu and my party DSSP is dedicated to the cause of the whole of Jammu province. It’s shocking to see that our business community, which is the spine of any society, is so badly hit, that they have been compelled to come on roads. I have been fighting against all these anti people policies since long and assure you that I will keep on fighting for the cause of Jammu and its people till my people feel free and breathe in the open air of democracy in the real spirit. Ch Lal Singh also said that, DSSP extended all possible support to the chamber for all the genuine demands and expressed solidarity with all the agitating organizations of Jammu province including daily wages, Farmers, Unemployed youth and many others—(KNO)