Centre issues nationwide advisory on Bharat Bandh tomorrow

The Centre on Monday has issued a nationwide advisory ahead of the the 'Bharat Bandh' on December 8 (Tuesday) called by the farmers' unions and supported by the opposition parties. Also Read | SAD to hold Akhand Path at Sri Akal Takht on Dec 12 to kick start 100 year celebrations of the party The 'Bharat Bandh' has been called by the farmers' unions who have been protesting the three farm laws enacted in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Major political parties, such as the Congress, NCP, DMK, SP, TRS and Left, on Sunday, came out in strong support of the bandh. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked all states and union territories to tighten security during the Bharat Bandh. It stated that peace and tranquility must be maintained on that day. The MHA also said that the state governments and UT administrations must ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines issued with regard to health and social distancing are strictly followed. Issuing a joint statement, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and All India Transporters Welfare Association (AITWA) stated traders and transporters will not be participating in the Bharat Bandh called on December 8. "Commercial markets across the country will remain open and business activities will take place as usual whereas the transport services will also remain operative on December 8," the joint statement stated. CAIT President BC Bhartia, Secretary-General Praveen Khandelwal and Pradeep Singal and Mahendra Arya, Chairman and President of AITWA respectively, stated that so far no farmer organization or farmer leaders have approached them seeking support for "Bharat Bandh". Adding that at a time when talks are being held between the government and farmer leaders, it is not appropriate to hold any Bandh. "We have all sympathy with the demands of the farmers and we call upon the government to resolve the issue at the earliest and look into genuine demands of the farming community. The farmers, like traders and transporters, are an important part of the national economy and therefore immediate steps are needed to resolve their issues," the statement said. -PTC News