“Bharat Bandh” is expected to be held on 26th February. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called for a country wide closure of commercial markets demanding a review of GST. CAIT is demanding the state governments, the Centre and the GST council to keep in abeyance the “draconian” provisions of GST. It is demanding a review of the GST system and simplification and rationalisation of its tax slabs for easier compliance by traders.

The Secretary of CAIT said that talks also are being held with the government on this issue. The All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) is in support of CAIT and will hold a “chakka jaam” on Feb 26th.

All commercial markets will remain closed across the country. Protests and dharnas will be held in around 1500 cities. It may be noted that along with CAIT, around 40000 traders’ associations from across the country will support the Bandh.

CAIT Secretary Praveen Khandelwal, addressing a press conference, said that in the past 4 years almost 950 amendments were made to GST and issues regarding glitches related to GST portal and the continuous increase in compliance burden are the major lacunae in the tax regime.