12-Hour Padampur Bandh By Traders’ Union Called Off After Talks

Padampur: Following consultations with officials, the traders in the election-bound town of Padampur have cancelled the 12-hour bandh that was scheduled for today (Tuesday).

The Income Tax and GST authorities had conducted simultaneous raids on traders yesterday, which prompted the bandh call.

Traders informed that after discussions with GST officials, the bandh had been cancelled.

On Monday, the state government’s GST department cracked down on BJP-backed businessmen in what some viewed as a tit-for-tat raid.  Earlier on the same day, the IT department raided the homes of three businessmen believed to be connected to the ruling BJD in Padampur Row.

In the midst of the intensive Padampur by-election campaigning, BJD has condemned the IT raids.

Sashi Busan Behera, a senior party leader said, “The IT raids prior to the by-election are not acceptable. IT had plenty of time to raid anywhere, but regrettably did so right away.”