KOZHIKODE: Raising various demands, shops associated with the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) in the state will down their shutters on Wednesday. At a press conference here on Monday, KVVES president T Nasiruddin said that hotels and medical shops would also take part in the strike.
The samithi is demanding cancellation of the government decision to levy 2 per cent turnover tax imposed on cloth merchants, implementation of the Buildings (Lease, Basic Rent and Other Facilities) Bill, 2013, and to stop the raids related to the sale of tobacco products in permitted places.
In connection with the strike, traders in Kozhikode will take out a protest march to the district collectorate. The march will commence from the Vyapara Bhavan premises at east Nadakkavu at 10 am. Nasiruddin said that if the government failed to address the issues raised by the KVVES, it would launch an indefinite strike. KVVES general secretary Ashraf Muthedath, K Sethu Madhavan and T Mohammedali were also present at the press meet.
KVVES Call Rejected
Meanwhile, the Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi Kozhikode district committee has rejected the call by KVVES to close down shops. In a press release issued on Monday, Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi district secretary C K Vijayan said that the shops of the samithi members would remain open on Wednesday. The Timber Merchants Association has also said that it would not take part in the strike.