No effect of 'Bharat Bandh' on trade, transport, says traders' body CAIT

New Delhi:The general strike -- Bharat Bandh -- called by farmers' organisations on Tuesday had no effect on trading activities across the country, said the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

CAIT and the All India Transport Welfare Association (AITWA), the largest transport sector organisation on Monday, gave a nationwide call to traders and transporters to keep their business establishments open during the 'Bharat Bandh'.

The farmers from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, who have been agitating over the Union Farm Bills, described them as "black laws" since November 26 at several borders of the national Capital while observing the 'Bharat Bandh' on Tuesday.

Besides the bandh, there is also a call for no vehicular movement -- Chakka Jam -- across the nation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"As usual the markets in Delhi and across the country remained fully operative conducting smooth business activities, including Delhi," the CAIT said.

"Movement of goods all over the country also remained unaffected," the largest traders body added.

The CAIT claimed that more than seven crore business establishments were completely open throughout the country and business activities continued unabated.

According to CAIT Secretary General, Praveen Khandelwal, business establishments and transport companies prominently in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, among other states remained completely operative where both wholesale and retail markets remained operational in full force and transport services were also conducted smoothly.

Khandelwal appealed to the Central government that anyone who indulged in the agriculture business outside the 'mandis' must not only carry a PAN card but should also get registered for it.

"All measures should be taken to convert the farmer's losses into profitable farming! Agricultural courts must be set up to settle all disputes faced by the farmers. These steps will not only benefit the farmers but on the other hand, there will also be transparency in the country's agricultural system, which will also speed up India's economy," he said.

AITWA claimed that the transport business in the country was fully operational despite the bandh.

As per AITWA official data, nearly 90 lakh trucks and other vehicles ply every day on India's roads, of which nearly 20 lakh ferry goods via inter-city transport while the rest operated on an intra-state level.