STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Lamenting the government for its 'neglect' towards the traders, the All Guwahati Traders' Association (AGTA) and All Assam Traders' Association (AATA) has decided to intensify their agitation and stage a series of protests in the coming days.
Addressing the media persons, AGTA president Kamal Bharali said despite numerous appeals from both the bodies for more than four years, the government has not solved any of their issues.
Highlighting the plight of the traders, AGTA general secretary Prantosh Roy said, "There are over 5 lakh traders in the State and the fee of the labourer registration license has been hiked by more than 10 times which is an injustice to them. Thus we have been demanding the government to withdraw the gazette notification." AGTA president Bharali pointed out that the government has not introduced any schemes like health insurance, accidental insurance, or pension for the benefit of the traders.
"With these demands, the traders met Assam Labour Commissioner, Labour Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Chief Secretary in the past. Additionally, several rounds of talks have been held with various MLAs, and we also highlighted our issues to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal," Bharali stated.
Further, the AGTA members claimed that despite being affected by the pandemic, the traders worked hard to serve the nation due to which the State government registered record GST revenue this year. The AGTA also highlighted their initiatives which they took in the past years to pressure the government to fulfill their demands.
"On March 15, 2017 the traders kept their shutter down to observe Vyapar Bandh. Following the Chief Minister's direction on May 5, 2017 then Labour Commissioner TC Sarma held a meeting with the traders. However, despite assurances no initiatives were taken by the government to meet our demands.
"On May 14, 2019 the Chief Minister directed Principal Secretary Sanjay Lohia to find a solution to the problems of the traders following a meeting with the AGTA. But till date nothing has been solved. Thus we have again appealed to the government to fulfill our demands," Bharali added. The AGTA and the AATA said they will resort to intense agitation if their demands are not met at the earliest.