A view of the busy Chalai Bazaar in the city on Tuesday following a strike call by Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samity protesting against the hike in their licence fee. | Photo Credit: S MAHINSHA more-in Commercial activity in the district came to a halt on Tuesday, as the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) observed dawn-to-dusk shutdown in protest against the local bodies’ moves to increase the licence fee for commercial establishments. Shops, restaurants and other commercial establishments remained closed through the day. The protest was against the increase in Dangerous and Offensive Trade (D&O) licence fee for commercial establishments. The shopkeepers allege that the licence fee was increased by five to 12 times of the existing rates. They said this extra financial burden had come as a huge blow to them, as they were already struggling after the implementation of Goods and Services Tax and demonetisation. Another allegation Another allegation against the new rate system was that it gave officials who conducted the inspection too much powers to decide on the rates, thus resulting in different rates for the same kind of shops in different places. On Tuesday, the Ekopana Samithi organised a protest meeting in front of the Secretariat. State Vice President of the Samithi Kamalaalayam Suku said the local bodies, which were supposed to follow the Government Order issued in October last year for levying licence fee, were flouting that order. “We will take legal action against the officials and the local bodies if the decision to levy more fees is not reversed. The hartal called by the District Committee is a success, with not a single shop opening its shutters. This should be considered as a warning,” he said. The Ekopana Samithi has also requested the Minister for Local Self Governments and officials concerned to extend the last date for renewal of the licence and payment of the fees to March 31, from the existing February 28.

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