GUWAHATI: As the Assam Chamber of Commerce (ACC) has appealed to the business community of the state to observe a one-day Vyapar Bandh (trade bandh) on March 23 from 6 am to 9 pm, the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) through a press release expressed that the move will create a panic situation in the state and will encourage black marketing which will result in price rise of essential commodities due to short supply.
AIPC Assam president Gauravv Somani through the press release said, “Under such a confused and grim situation where COVID-19 is hovering around people and daily routine being disturbed, such illegal Trade Bandhs without Govt permissions and advisory shall further create more panic like situation amongst the people. At present there are signs of shortage of essential items and food grains in the state. People are returning empty handed from grocery stores and the majority of shops are running out of stock of essentials items.”
Somani stated that at this hour of crisis, medical supplies, edible oil, milk, hygiene products, baby food and a whole lot of day to day necessities should be made available at all point of time and people should strictly adhere to government instruction and advisories.
Somani said, “The Chairman of Assam Chamber of Commerce should act responsibly at this hour of crisis and stop taking advantage for name sake and gaining brownie points for their esteemed organization. I appeal to all the esteemed members of this respected organization to call off this trade bandh and follow the government instructions in the greater interest of the State.”
It needs to be mentioned that Gauravv Somani, a spokesperson of the State Congress, was recently appointed as the State President of AIPC Assam with Rijumoni Talukdar as Vice President and Tinat Masood as Secretary respectively.
Reacting to the allegations of Somani, an official of Assam Chamber of Commerce talking to G Plus said that Vyapar Bandh on 23rd March is an appeal and not an order. Business community who feel they should back the appeal will keep the business establishments closed and whoever is not supporting the appeal will keep their establishments open.
