Pune: The Maharashtra State Traders Action Committee has temporarily postponed the one-day statewide shutdown that was scheduled for August 27, following a high-level meeting with state government officials.
The traders had threatened to close all wholesale and retail markets across the state to protest unresolved issues affecting their businesses.
The meeting was held at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai and was attended by Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLA Madhuri Misal, as well as the Chief Secretaries of the Marketing, Finance, Cooperation, and Urban Development Departments, and other officials from various departments.
During the meeting, Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, presented various issues faced by traders. The committee’s coordinator, Rajendra Bathia, and Rai Kumar Nahar, president of The Poona Merchants Chamber, raised several issues concerning market committees.
Also present were Jitendra Shah, president of FAM, secretary Pritesh Shah, Mohan Gurnani, Dipen Agarwal, Bhimji Bhansali, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce vice-presidents Ravindra Mangave, Nitesh Vira, and former presidents of The Poona Merchants Chamber Praveen Chorbele and Anil Bhansali.
Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis acknowledged and understood the traders' concerns. A decision was made to establish a high-level committee comprising members of the action committee, the Chief Secretary, and other officials to resolve the traders' issues.
Fadnavis directed the committee to arrive at a proper resolution within 30 days. Before the meeting, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke with Lalit Gandhi over the phone and assured that the government is positively inclined towards addressing the traders' concerns, urging the traders to call off the strike.
Following this assurance, the action committee decided to temporarily suspend the one-day statewide strike, as informed by Rajendra Bathia, coordinator of the Maharashtra State Traders Action Committee.
