GST: 2-day strike by small-scale traders in Karnataka begins today

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, July 23, 2025: Starting today, multiple associations are staging protests against GST notices issued by the Commercial Taxes Department to small-scale traders.

The Karnataka Karmika Parishath is organising a two-day strike on July 23 and 24 across the state.

“Our business will be operational, but we will not be selling or serving any dairy products. No tea or coffee will be served anywhere. We are doing this as most of the businesses that have received the notices are bakeries and condiment stores. We will all be donning black bands across our arms or heads in protest of the government’s unjust actions,” said Ravi Shetty Byndoor, president.

The government has blindsided small-scale traders, he added.

“They (the government officials) have to first create awareness about the due tax process. If they educate us, we are willing to join the next tax cycle. But using cheap tactics is wrong,” he said.

The association distributed roses among traders across the city to show their support.

“Many of them are uneducated and scared. We wanted to show that they have someone standing by them,” he added.

On July 25, the association is organising a protest at Freedom Park. “For this, we are shutting down all our shops, and people from across the state will be travelling down to Bengaluru,” he added.

The association has about 65,000 official members.

The Karnataka State Association of Bakeries, Condiments and Small Enterprises is organising a similar protest on July 24.

“Shop owners are being asked to submit four years’ worth of bank transactions, purchase receipts, trade and financial details—information which many small traders simply do not maintain. It’s practically impossible for small business owners—many of whom are also the sole workers in their shops—to submit extensive documentation in just a week. Our people are busy planning what to stock for the next day, not maintaining formal accounts. We don’t have the resources or staff to do so,” said D B Pratap Shetty, the association’s state president.

The association has demanded the withdrawal of such notices and requested the government to allow traders with a turnover exceeding Rs 40 lakhs per year to settle their dues under the presumptive tax scheme by paying a flat 1 per cent tax based on available records.

“If our demands are not met, we will launch a state-wide protest against the UPI payment system. We will begin a campaign to break UPI scanners as a mark of protest,” he said.