GST protest ends after CM assurance

A citywide bandh planned by small vendors and traders in Bengaluru protesting GST notices was called off after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met with representatives of various trade bodies on Wednesday.

The controversy arose after the state commercial tax department issued notices to small businesses that recorded annual UPI transactions exceeding ₹40 lakh. Vendors expressed concerns about the sudden enforcement and sought a resolution through dialogue with the government, instead of facing penalties or disruptions to their operations.

During the meeting, which included representatives from the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) and other trade associations, the chief minister assured that the government remained committed to protecting and empowering small traders. He also emphasized ongoing efforts to boost their purchasing power and ease of doing business through targeted economic programs.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a statement confirming that no trade organization had endorsed the bandh, and all planned protests were being withdrawn. Trade representatives were encouraged to resolve any GST-related issues directly with the commercial tax department.

This development brought relief to thousands of small vendors and the public, who feared that the bandh would disrupt essential services and daily business. The state government has reiterated its intention to maintain open lines of communication with business stakeholders and promised that no harsh action will be taken without proper consultation. Officials expect further discussions to streamline GST enforcement for small traders in the coming weeks.