PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad
Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the police have stepped in to protect
traders who want to keep their shops open during the proposed indefinite
bandh againsttarting April 22. Besides, all 12 malls in Pimpri
Chinchwad will remain open.

Speaking at a joint press
conference in Pimpri on Thursday, municipal commissioner Shrikar
Pardeshi and deputy commissioner of police (zone III) Shahji Umap, urged
traders to not to close shops in the interest of consumers.

Umap said that policemen will be deployed in adequate numbers at malls
and small traders will also be protected. Pardeshi too said that civic
officials will be deployed to help malls and shops remain open during
the bandh period. Earlier, a meeting of all 12 mall operators was called
by the police and the municipal corporation on measures to be taken
during the bandh. Pardeshi said, “Malls will be kept open from 9 am to
10.30 pm so that people do not face shortage.”

Umap said the
police will enforce provisions of section 37(1)(3) of Mumbai Police Act
to prevent the agitating traders from conducting meetings, taking out
motor cycle rallies, moving in groups to persuade others to close shops
and other activities to enforce the bandh. “Action will be taken against
the traders who sell goods at exorbitant rates to fleece people during
the bandh,” he added.

Pardeshi said that small traders are
mostly retailers and they do not have to pay LBT as they purchase goods
from others within municipal limits. “Essential commodities like
foodgrains, vegetables, meat and many others are exempted from LBT. So,
small traders should not worry and keep away from the bandh,” said
Pardeshi.

He said that since most demands of traders have been met, they should not go on strike.