New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): Ashok Buwaniwala, National Executive President of the Rashtriya Jan Udyog Vyapar Sangathan, has described the demand for cancellation of the Congress rally scheduled to be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on November 1 as politically motivated.

He alleged that trade associations were failing to address the problems faced by traders. When elections had become inconsequential and decisions were not being taken in the interests of traders and cottage industries, he said, such organisations’ claims of standing up for the trading community amounted to little more than a pretence.

Ashok Buwaniwala pointed out that government ministers were also preparing to hold roadshows in major cities across the country during the festive season. He warned that these events could lead to traffic congestion in smaller markets, the closure of shops and inconvenience for customers. Questioning the trade association’s position, he asked why an organisation claiming to be concerned about traders’ welfare remained silent on the proposed roadshows.

He alleged that government policies over the past 12 years had adversely affected small traders, retailers and cottage industries. Demonetisation, the complexities of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system and the unrestricted freedom enjoyed by online companies, he claimed, had compounded the difficulties faced by small and medium-sized businesses.

Traders across the country, including those in Delhi-NCR, were struggling with mounting debt, expensive licences and what he described as an inspector raj, Buwaniwala said.

He further claimed that traders in Delhi were grappling with hefty challans, GST notices and rising electricity bills. Instead of addressing these substantive concerns, he alleged, the trade association was demanding the cancellation of the Congress rally.

Ashok Buwaniwala urged traders to distinguish between organisations genuinely fighting for their rights and those allegedly using their name for other purposes. He also argued that stronger Opposition parties were necessary to push for better policies for small and cottage industries and to simplify the GST framework.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar