Shops in the state affiliated to the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopanam Samithi, will remain closed on Wednesday as part of the protest over rectifying lapses in GST. 

As many as ten lakh traders of the Samithi are taking part in the protest. 

The other demands include a special package for traders who have been evicted for road expansion and revision of the Kerala Buildings (Lease and Rent control) Act.

As part of the protest, the Samithi has planned to lay siege to the Secretariat. 

The siege will be inaugurated by Samithi state president T Nasarudheen at 10.30am.

The office bearers of the Samithi, the largest organisation of traders in the state, claim that 10.5 lakh members affiliated to it, will take part in the shutdown.

 “We cover the entire state and all the traders are taking part in the protest which in effect will keep all the shops shut,” Sethumadhavan, Samithi state Secretary who is also Kozhikode district General Secretary told TNM.

“Though the GST was rolled out by the Union Government, the state government has the right to rectify the drawbacks. Also, a package should be announced for shop owners who who have been evicted for road expansion. We are not against increasing rent of shops, but the law relating to this should be revised,” he said.

He added that the shop owners are being harassed in the name of solid waste management.

“We also oppose the move to issue special licence to some shops to sell cigarettes,” he added.