Tirupati Chamber of Commerce calls for 3-day bandh

Tirupati: The Tirupati Chamber of Commerce (TCC), an umbrella organisation, representing 27 trade and commerce associations called
for a three-day bandh from May 25 to 27 demanding the government to put an end to the harassment of traders by the officials of
commercial tax, labour and the other departments.

Speaking to the media here on Sunday, TCC president A Manjunath, along with other office bearers, said that as the association personal
representations and reminders to higher authorities and also Finance Minister Yanamala Ramkrishnudu failed to rein in the government
officials harassing the traders, including in Tirupati, Tirumala, Tiruchanur, Renigunta and Chandragiri, the TCC has no other way, but to
resort to a three -day trade bandh despite knowing well that it would cause inconvenience to the public , including pilgrims.

Manjunath alleged that the harassment of officials particularly of commercial tax department became unbearable, making it very difficult
for the business community in the city and adjoining towns to run their enterprises. He went on citing various instances in which the
commercial tax authorities imposing huge amounts as penalty even for minor errors and also collecting penalties even without any valid
reasons.

He claimed that as many as 27 associations, including Nethaji Road Traders Association, Food Grains Merchant Welfare Association,
Chemists and Druggists Association, Saw Mills and Timber Depots Association, Steel and Cement, Bullion, Jewellers and Silver
Merchants, Lodge and Hotel Owners, Tirumala traders and others extended their support and will join the bandh to make it a grand
success. In Tirumala, the bandh will be observed only one day on the last day i.e; on May 27 in the interests of pilgrims, he said seeking
the support of people, social organisations, banks and others to the bandh.

Regretting for the inconvenience to be caused to people due to bandh, Manjunath wanted the pilgrims to defer their visit to Tirumala for
three days to avoid inconvenience.

TCC functionaries, including secretary P Madhusudana Rao, treasurer KV Chowdary, vice-president Sunil Bhaskar and others were present.