A State-level meeting of traders was called on Wednesday on the Agricultural Marketing Fee Bill. This meeting was led by the traders’ apex body in the State Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI) in which it was decided that the trade of food grains would be closed from February 15. The traders have given the government 8 days to withdraw the bill
All kinds of small and big shops will also be kept closed here.. If the bill is not withdrawn in these eight days, the traders will be closed from February 15. Before this, the work and protest program will be continued by wearing black badges.
The FJCCI representatives took out a rally on Wednesday in which they opposed the Agricultural Marketing Bill. All business-related establishments in the entire State, including the State Capital remained closed during this period. In the conference a strategy was prepared from the agricultural market to the phased movement. The traders also burnt the effigy of Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh in Morabadi Maidan. FJCCI Chief, Kishor Mantri said that until this fee is returned till then the businessmen will continue to protest in some form or the other every day and also, from February 15, the food business will be closed indefinitely. “This bill is going to promote corruption. The Government will have to withdraw this bill. States like Bihar and UP have also withdrawn this bill. Traders are united for this. And the movement will continue till the withdrawal of the Government,” he added.
The food traders registered a protest by keeping their shops and major mandis closed on Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday also, the traders lodged a protest by wearing black badges.
As per the traders protesting for withdrawal of the bill, the bill will drastically reduce the production of agricultural produce, its marketing, related processing industry and trade in the State. Due to which the local demand for the farmers' produce will decrease, they will get a lower price for their produce. At the same time, there will be a decrease in the amount (revenue) received by the Government from agriculture fee and GST. Traders from other districts including Sahebganj, Jamshedpur, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh participated in the state level meeting.
Ever since the bill was passed, the traders under the banner of the FJCCI demanded the withdrawal of the bill from the Government. For this, talks were held with the ruling party, officers and Ministers at many levels. At the same time, businessmen have also met top Congress Leader, Shashi Tharoor. At the same time, on January 21, the Chamber representatives met the Governor. The Government passed the bill again in the assembly session held in December since then, dissatisfaction is being seen among the traders regarding this bill.
In March last year, the traders protested against the passage of this bill in the assembly. During this, the import of food grains was stopped in the month of April. However, only after the import of food grains stopped for two days, the Government held talks with the traders. After the assurance of the Government, the traders kept the supply of food grains normal. At the same time, the Governor also sent this bill to the Government for amendment in the month of May. But in this assembly session, the Government again implemented and last week the Governor also gave his assent to the bill.