Surat: The traders and shopkeepers blocked the arterial ring road of Surat in protest against the sealing of shops at the city’s textile markets due to breaches of fire safety and building use (BU) norms. The traders rushed onto the road and blocked the traffic on this vital stretch for commuters.

The traders told media persons that their shops had been shut for the last five days due to sealing by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). They said they were suffering due to the fault of the builders and that they had no role in fire safety and other regulations. They also mentioned that business across 15 textile markets had stalled due to the sealing in this city, which is crucial for the textile business nationwide. The traders claimed that SMC teams would come at night and seal the shops. They demanded the prompt reopening of the shops.

The police teams later arrived and successfully convinced the traders to take their protest to roadside and allow the movement of traffic.

Traders also stated that when the market shops were bought, they did not check whether the builder had obtained the BU certificate. Years later, their business is having a huge impact due to the builder’s mistake. Taxes, including GST, have to be paid every month, which they are now unable to do. With the market shops sealed, the business is closed, affecting their income as well.

The President of the Federation of Surat Textile Trade Traders Association (FOSTTA) and other officials rushed to the corporation’s office regarding the protest against the sealing of shops.

Mayor Dakshesh Mavani said that today there was a protest by the traders of the textile market located in the Surat Ring Road area regarding the sealing operation. Officials of the FOSTTA came to present their case to me and said that the market has been sealed, and the offices are also sealed, due to which they cannot even process the payment of GST, and trade has also stopped. It is a situation where the salaries of the small employees cannot be paid. They said that they will complete the work as per the rules of the corporation within a short time. After listening to all these things, I have assured them that I will convey their message to the government as soon as possible and try to resolve the trouble they are facing. DeshGujarat