BENGALURU: Over 58,000 bakery, condiments, beeda shop owners, street vendors and other small traders from Bengaluru have announced an indefinite strike starting Thursday, alleging harassment by various government departments and seeking protection from what they describe as arbitrary enforcement of rules and regulations.
Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Ravi Shetty Baindoor, state president of the Karnataka Rajya Karmika Parishat, said small business owners are facing frequent inspections, penalties and intimidation from officials, despite operating legally and paying taxes.
All bakeries and small shops in Bengaluru will observe a complete bandh. While a statewide protest has also been called, other parts of Karnataka are expected to hold a partial bandh, he said.
The association alleged that traders are subjected to verbal abuse, prolonged questioning at police stations and civic offices, and face arbitrary closure of shops. It also claimed that some officials impose heavy fines on small retailers for possessing banned plastic covers while allegedly overlooking large-scale manufacturers and wholesale suppliers.
They also alleged that shopkeepers are often penalised for selling tobacco products that are otherwise permitted for sale by the government.