GUWAHATI, March 22 - The All India Professionals� Congress (AIPC) has called upon the Assam Chamber of Commerce (ACC) to call off the daylong �Vyapar Bandh� (Trade Bandh) tomorrow.
�Under such a confused and grim situation, when COVID-19 is hovering around people and with daily routine being disturbed, such an illegal trade bandh, called without government permission and advisory, shall create further panic 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,� said Gauravv Somani, president of the State unit of AIPC.
He added, �Amidst the present situation, calling for total shutdown of business establishments by ACC in the name of social distancing will further aggravate the situation in the State, disrupting the supply chain of essential items and shall further encourage black marketing and price rise due to short supply. At this hour of crisis, medical supplies, edible oils, milk, hygiene products, baby food and whole lot of daily necessities should be made available at all times and people should strictly adhere to government instructions and advisories.�
�The chairman of ACC should act responsibly in this hour of crisis. We appeal to all the esteemed members of this respected organisation to call off the trade bandh and follow the government�s instructions in the greater interest of the State,� Somani said.
It is noteworthy that ACC has appealed to the business community of Assam as well as all trade establishments to observe �Vyapar Bandh� on March 23, shutting down all the business activities from 6 am to 9 pm to promote social distancing.
