Malgodown shut down

CUTTACK: Malgodown, the biggest wholesale commodities market of the State, Chhatra Bazaar, the largest vegetable mandi, along with shops and business establishments in several parts of the city resorted to a shutdown in support of the Bharat Bandh on Thursday. The bandh was called by the Confederation of All India Traders to protest the Centre’s decision to allow FDI in Retail. While the shutdown affected trade and business in most parts of the city, CPM, BJP and SUCI organised demonstrations and  processions against the decision. The Malgodown and Chhatra Bazaar were completely shut down affecting trade to the tune of crores of rupees. Along with the Cuttack Chamber of Commerce, the Chhatra Bazaar Trader’s Association, Textile Merchants’ Association, Rice Merchants’ Association, Retail Dealers’ Association and All Orissa Street Vendors’ Association joined the strike. “The decision would kill the retail sector in the country. With the retailers affected, the direct impact would be on wholesale trade and thus more than 200 traders at Malgodown have hit streets to protest the draconian step by the Government,” joint secretary of Cuttack Chamber of Commerce Srikant Sahoo said. All Orissa Street Vendors’ Association president Subash Singh said that the agitation would be intensified if the Centre did not withdraw the decision.