Pune: The Bharat Bandh call given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Friday against rising prices of fuel, the new e-way bill and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evoked satisfactory response in Pune.

Shops and other business establishments around Pune remained closed as multiple traders' associations here extended support to the Bharat Bandh on Friday.

Sachin Nivangune, President, Pune District Retail Traders’ Association, informed that the impact of the strike was seen at various places such as Laxmi Road, Raviwar Peth, Pashan-Sus, Kothrud, Karvenagar-Warje, Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, Wadgaon, Bibwewadi, Kharadi, Chandannagar, Dhanori, Mundhwa to name a few. However, essential services and vehicular movements were not affected due to the shutdown.

Due to Bharat Bandh, city also witnessed less traffic on the streets on Friday. Poona Merchant Chambers, Pune Vyapari Mahasangh, the traders’ body including traders from Pimpri-Chinchwad have extended their support to the Bharat Bandh.

The CAIT observed the 12-hour shutdown in protest against GST, hike in fuel price and e-way bill. The CAIT as well as AITWA are in demand to scrap the new e-way bill or removing certain rules from it. The e-way bill system has been launched in the country for inter-state movement of goods with effect from April 1, 2018. They have also requested the government to withdraw heavy taxes on petrol-diesel and make it uniform around the country.

Calling the GST 'one of the most complex taxation systems', the protesters want a review of the GST system and explanation of the tax slabs.