Regional political parties have come out in support of the traders’ ‘Jammu bandh’ call against ‘anti-trader’ policies, including the opening of Reliance Smart Point stores
New Delhi: Nearly every political party in Jammu and Kashmir has endorsed the ‘bandh’ call issued by a traders’ union, Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on September 22nd in protest against the Reliance’s single-handed opening of 100 retail Smart Point stores in Jammu.
Apart from the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the statements of political parties for traders in Jammu have expressed support to the bandh call while the BJP-led Central government has been severely criticized.
Rollback ‘anti-business and anti-poor’ policies, says NC
The regional political party National Conference (NC) has extended its support for the ‘Jammu bandh,’ which has been called in response to the administration’s alleged “anti-trade and commerce” policies.
National Conference has always stood for safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and will continue to do so with a sense of commitment, an NC spokesperson said in a statement issued here.
The NC spokesperson expressed hope that the administration will find reason in its ‘anti-business and anti-poor’ policies and take remedial steps.
JKNPP calls the move ‘anti-Dogra’
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers party leadership has also expressed its full support and solidarity with small, medium, and self-employed shopkeepers and retail traders.
The party said if the proposed opening of Reliance Smart Point stores is allowed as planned, it will prove disastrous and break the backbone of Dogras’ poor business class.
The JKNPP said that Reliance’s opening of 100 retail outlets in Jammu region alone amounted to high defrauding of small businesses and self-employed educated young.
J-K’s Apni Party also supports Jammu bandh
On Monday, Manjit Singh, the Apni Party’s Provincial President in Jammu, also expressed support for the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Jammu’s proposal for a “Jammu Bandh”.
He stated that the development of high-profile businesses in Jammu will have a negative influence on the province’s whole sellers and small shopkeepers, who are already struggling, owing to limited business prospects.
He went on to say that the trade supports hundreds of families and employs thousands of people, all of whom are being treated unfairly by the government.
Will protect the interests of trader community at all costs, DSSP says
Traders received supported from the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party (DSSP) also. According to a press statement, a DSSP team led by President Ch. Lal Singh visited the Chamber of Commerce office on Monday to listen to the business community’s concerns.
In response to the business community, Ch. Lal Singh stated that he has always stood for the cause of Jammu and that his party, the DSSP, is devoted to the cause of the whole province of Jammu.