Essentials start disappearing as agitation against LBT intensifies

However,with SC not deciding the matter Tuesday,Viren Shah,president of Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA),said the strike would continue till they got a favourable verdict. The court decision is likely on Friday.

“The strike will continue in Elphinstone Road,Chembur,Ghatkopar,Thane and other areas. I expect 20,000 more retailers to join Wednesday,” he said. Shah expects readymade garment retailers to join as well.

Drugs,milk and newspapers were available Tuesday but banking services,wholesale trading in clothes,electronics,hardware,metals,foodgrain,fruits,vegetables and manufacturing activities were paralysed.

Residents of south Mumbai and western suburbs were badly hit. They could not buy groceries.

Bernadette D’silva of Marine Lines said: “There is no cooking oil and we have no means of getting it.”

Sultan Ali F Suleman (55),who owns a grocery shop in Marine Lines,said,“We are suffering losses daily by shutting shops but there is no other way. I’m suffering a loss of about Rs 4,000 every day.”

NCP demands high-powered committee

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and NCP state president Madhukar Pichad have written to CM Prithviraj Chavan seeking a high-powered committee to resolve the impasse over LBT. The letter is a clear indication NCP is not pleased with the government handling of the situation. Pawar and Pichad demanded a committee comprising cabinet ministers,representative of traders federation and bureaucrats from departments concerned.

NCP said the business community had contributed greatly towards welfare and development of the state and the government should hear it out and try to resolve the matter amicably.

Earlier in the day,BJP adopted a resolution to oppose LBT tooth and nail.