Demonetisation: Kerala traders strike likely to backfire
It is understood that a section of the Samiti leaders is trying for a meeting with CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday.
KOZHIKODE: Difference of opinion has cropped up among traders about the decision by the Kerala Vyapara Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi to shut shops from Tuesday for an indefinite period which, a section of them believes will backfire. The general public is hit by the demonetisation of high value currencies and shortage of Rs 100 notes and the shutting down of shops would make the situation worse, they feel.
There are reports that Samithi president T. Naseerudhin announced the decision on the agitation in protest against shortage of currency and demonetisation without discussing the issue with other members or leaders of the union. It is understood that a section of the Samiti leaders is trying for a meeting with CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday.
In Kannur, former minister E.P. Jayarajan who had earlier led the Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi said that the strike by the traders would only worsen the situation, adding that the organisation should back out from such move that would make the life of the public more miserable.
The Hassan Koya faction of Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi said that the move to shut down the shops would divert the public anger towards the traders. “The common man is against the government due to the unavailability of ncurrency in the market,” Samithi state secretary V. Sunil Kumar said. “By this move, they will be directed at the traders. They might even attack the shops for resources in an emergency.