Traders in Kerala have declared 2019 the 'anti-hartal year': Here's why

Traders' groups have said that by calling frequent strikes, political parties are damaging the state's economy

On Thursday (December 20), over 35 trade organisations in Kerala came together to announce that 2019 will be ‘anti-hartal year’. The Cochin Chamber of Commerce believes that the frequency of hartals – otherwise known as bandhs – in Kerala is cutting Rs 7,200 crore from the state’s GDP.

“There were 97 hartals last year. The traders, hoteliers, bus owners and other establishments were facing a loss of crores of rupees due to such flash hartals,” Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti state president T. Nasarudheen told PTI. “”We want all the political parties to co-operate with us. Even a minister had said