By IANS,
Raipur : Life came to a total halt in Chhattisgarh Thursday as vehicles were off the roads, petrol pumps shut down and educational institutions closed to join the traders protest against the central government’s decision to allow foreign equity in retail.
Reports from all the 18 districts indicate that the shutdown has had a strong impact across the state.
At a few places mainly in industrial towns – Raigarh and Korba – retail traders forced transporters and petrol pump owners to suspend business activities.
In Raipur, roads and government offices wore a deserted look and shops were closed in all localities to extend support to the Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industries which is spearheading the shutdown.
It is opposing the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s decision to allow 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in single-brand retail and 51 percent in multi-brand retail.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is in power in the state since December 2003 has backed the shutdown and in several towns its cadres were seen enforcing the strike on shopkeepers and passenger vehicle drivers.
Chief Minister Raman Singh has made it clear that his government disapproves the central government decision and would not allow FDI in the state’s retail sector.