The 12-hour hartal observed by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) on Tuesday was total and peaceful in Kozhikode district.
The State-wide shutdown was called in protest against the alleged harassment of the trading community in the name of implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Value Added Tax (VAT) notices.
Shops and commercial establishments remained closed in the city, mofussil towns and rural areas, including Vakadara, Koyilandy and Thamarassery taluks, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Kerala Merchants Chamber of Commerce and the Kerala Scrap Merchants Association also participated in the strike.
The protesting traders said the State government was forcing the Kerala flood cess on the merchants. Besides, the software system adopted by the Department of Finance was faulty. They also wanted the government to adequately compensate shopkeepers affected by the foods.
The unnecessary rules in the amnesty scheme and the collection of direct tax were fraught with anomalies. There were allegations that merchants usually evaded tax. The government was, at present, serving notices on defaulters from 2011-12 and asking them to pay hefty fines, they said.
Public affected
The general public was affected by the protest of the merchants. Even the stalls at the Vengeri Agricultural Wholesale Market took part in the strike. However, fish vendors and some provision stores and hotels kept away from the protest. The Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association had said that they would not operate any business.
The otherwise busy S.M. Street wore a deserted look from morning onwards. No shops were opened at Valiyangadi too. Street vendors, especially those selling fruits and vegetables, were active at Palayam.
The strike did not affect the transportation sector. The attendance at government and private offices was normal.
As part of the hartal, KVVES activists took out a march to the District Collectortae in the morning. KVVES State president T. Naseeruddin inaugurated the protest march.
