Business as usual at city markets despite bandh call
Traders refuse to down shutters in the name of ‘old political tactics irrelevant in 2018’ Support from Opposition parties notwithstanding, the Congress’s call for a Bharat bandh against the tumbling rupee and an unprecedented hike in fuel prices could not, visibly, affect the status quo at markets across the Capital here on Monday. While a majority of traders’ associations claimed it was business as usual at major commercial hubs from north Delhi’s Chandni Chowk to south Delhi’s Khan Market, some alleged it led to a relatively duller day because of a dent in the footfall of regular customers “fearing hooliganism”. The commercial hub in Rajouri Garden, a kilometre away from Congress Delhi chief Ajay Maken’s residence, was bustling with activity. A similar atmosphere was observed in other west Delhi markets such as Tilak Nagar, Punjabi Bagh and Patel Nagar. Traders’ bodies based in major markets such as Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar and Connaught Place in addition to the Chambe...