GST protest: Bandh call evokes mixed response in Uttarakhand

‘No effect’ of the protest seen in Dehradun, markets remain closed in Pauri Garhwal and Haldwani

The statewide bandh called by business organisations against the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) evoked a mixed response on Friday.

A market wears deserted look in Pauri Garhwal on Friday. (HT Photo)

“No effect” of the protest was seen in Dehradun, while markets remained closed in Pauri Garhwal and Haldwani.

In Haldwani, traders took out a rally from Patel Chowk to the SDM court. They said the union government in the name of GST has increased many taxes, which will affect their businesses. However, transporters in the district welcomed the GST by distributing sweets.

In Kumaon region, the bandh was called by Dev Bhumi Udyog Vyapar Mandal, industrial cell of the Congress and other organisations, which said the GST will cause hardships to the traders. The state secretary of regional Udyog Vyapar Mandal, Naveen Verma said that the bandh evoked good response in the Nainital district.

In Garhwal region, markets in the main towns of Pauri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts remained closed. It was a “complete” bandh from Srinagar to Badrinath Dham and a majority of hotels and restaurants remained closed, causing inconvenience to the pilgrims and tourists. The Kedarnath route was also hit due to “complete shutdown” in Kotdwar and Pauri.

Meanwhile, the state government’s spokesperson Madan Kaushik said, “There is no reason to fear.” “The initial hurdles will be over in some days and businessmen will feel the positive side of GST,” Kaushik told HT.

The long-awaited GST – India’s most ambitious reform in decades – aims to unify the economy into a single market. It comes into force from July 1.

(With inputs from Arvind Moudgil and Abhinav Madhwal)