The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and All IndiaTransport Welfare Association (AITWA) on Monday said that their members are notgoing to participate on December 8th 'Bharat Bandh', in addition ,the governmentshould have pay their attention towards farmer’s demands. Both the associations said in a joint statement thattheir members in commercial markets inoverseas will open their grounds and conduct business as usual and run regulartransport services on December 8.
CAIT National President BC Bhartia, general Secretary Praveen Khandelwal and AITWChairman Pradeep Singhal and National President Mahendra Arya In their joint statement said , "So far, neitherany farmer organisation nor any farmer leader has approached us to seek outsupport to the Bharat Bandh."
The leaders said that at the moment when several rounds oftalks has been held between the government and the farmer leaders, it is not suitableto organise any ‘ bandh’. We are havinga confirmed opinion in our mind that the conference between the government andthe farmer leaders will be ended with fruitful results."
"We have all sympathy for their demands and call uponthe government to resolve the issues soon as possible by showing their concernson farmer’s demand. Moreover, the leaders said, Indian farmers are like tradersand transporters, and are as important part of the national economy andtherefore instant steps are needed to be taken to resolve their matters. Theysaid that it was the need of the hour that farming should be made profitableand therefore all support mechanisms and opportunities provided to the farmers.Whatever amicable decisions are arrived at should be implemented in atime-bound manner, the four leaders added. Both CAIT and AITWA also appealed tothe farmers to be aware of vested interests who could infiltrate theiragitation to spoil the image of farmers.
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They also appealed that if farmer leaders think suitable ,they can call back their ‘bandh’ and keep their communication on with thegovernment to resolve the issues. "In this process, wherever the supportof traders and transporters is required, we are prepared to broadencooperation," said the leaders.Talking to IANS, Khandelwal said, there wasno need to call the’ bandh’when farmers and the government will be communicating toeach other . "We agree that farmers deserve to earn profits sice they dohard work. We also request the central government to fulfil their demands assoon as possible. But I reiterate my point that there is no way to hold a'Bharat Bandh' when talks are still on."Khandelwal said that over 40,000trader associations, who represent over seven crore traders across India, arefunctioning under the CAIT umbrella.