Traders’ outfit demands insurance and welfare fund

The Akhil Bhartiya Aggrawal Sammelan, an umbrella body of traders from across states, on Sunday held a rally at Ramlila Maidan to press for their demands such as insurance for shops, factories and godowns, a trader welfare fund, ban on online trading and allotment of reservation and promotion on merit.

The Akhil Bhartiya Aggrawal Sammelan, an umbrella body of traders from across states, on Sunday held a rally at Ramlila Maidan to press for their demands such as insurance for shops, factories and godowns, a trader welfare fund, ban on online trading and allotment of reservation and promotion on merit.

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Speaking on the occasion, union minister Sri Prakash Jaisawal said, “Without trader’s support neither the government nor the country can run. These are times of trade and industry. The government must solve the problems of traders instead of taking them for granted.”

National general secretary of the outfit Gopal Sharan Garg said, “MPs and MLAs talk only about farmers, poor and Dalits. We contribute to revenue, create jobs and do charity, but we are neglected. There is no social security for us. Traders must get pension. Our trade policy is not liberal which has led to flooding of the market with Chinese products.”

Sudesh Agrawal, national president, Samast Bhartiya Party, said, “Reservation should be given to those who need it. But it’s become a vote bank tool. We’re not active in politics. We don’t ask for our rights. We don’t take part in policy making. We need to change.” Santosh Bagrodia, former union minister and convenor of the rally, said, “The government takes care of 3 crore workers but the 40 crore self-employed people are neglected.”