Most shops and establishments in both retail and wholesale segments in West Bengal today downed their shutters in response to an all-India strike called to protest the Government’s decision to allow FDI in retail.
Most markets, including the wholesale market in Posta area of Burrabazar, the largest in the state, observed a day’s token strike.
The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations (CWBTA), the apex body of the most prominent trade associations of the state, having over five lakh small and medium level traders, said all sister trade bodies are supporting the bandh call.
The traders alleged that the Centre’s decision of allowing FDI in retail sector would spell disaster for small traders, in particular endangering the livelihood of millions of trading community.
Most of the political parties and trade unions have supported the day’s token strike.