THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shops and other business establishments across the state run by traders affiliated to the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) remained shut on Wednesday following the one-day strike called by the KVVES.
The strike was called to protest against e-declaration and alleged harassment from the officials of the Commercial Taxes Department in the name of value added tax and other advance taxes.
As part of the strike, protest marches were taken out at various district headquarters. In Thiruvananthapuram, the KVVES took out a march to the Secretariat. While addressing the march organised by the traders to the Kozhikode Civil Station, KVVES state president T Nazarudeen said that KVVES would intensify its agitation if the government went ahead with its policies which affect the traders in the state.
“We will think about an indefinite shut down strike if our demands are not addressed properly. The decisions regarding the next phase of the agitation will be finalised at the KVVES secretariat meeting on August 27,” Nazarudeen said.
The Joint Council of Trade Organisations in Kerala also took part in the strike along with the KVVES.
All shops, except medical shops and Milma outlets, remained shut. However, some restaurants functioned as Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association did not take part in the strike.
Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi and Vyapari Vyavasayi Congress did not participate in the strike.