Traders bandh hits normal life in Puducherry

Normal life was affected in Puducherry today with shops downing shutters in response to a bandh call given by Puducherry Traders Federation demanding the withdrawl of hike in property taxes on business establishments and the levy of 'garbage clearing' tax.
Shopping centres in and around the town wore a deserted look with shops remaining closed.
Cinema houses also suspended their shows to extend support to the stir.
Secretary of the Federation S Balou told PTI that the territorial government had hiked the property tax and imposed levy for garbage clearing without consulting the traders and business community.
He said the government should come out with a notification rescinding the hike as mere announcement by the Local Administration Minister that the increase in property tax and the garbage clearing tax by municipalities had been held in abeyance would not be enough.

Noting that the business community was bearing the brunt of Goods and Services Tax and demonetisation, Balou said, "The present hike in property taxes adds insult to injury and hence should be revoked."

The 24-hour-long bandh which began at 6 AM today would end at 6 AM tomorrow, the Federation secretary said.
He said the agitation was observed in outlying regions of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam also.
Police were deployed at vantage points to prevent any untoward incidents.