Cooch Behar, 31st January: The footpath traders protested in front of the Cooch Behar District Magistrate’s office regarding the tax increase. A rally was taken out on Tuesday by the Cooch Behar Bhawaniganj Market Footpath Byabasayee Samanwaya Committee. The traders joined the strike and submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate.
Traders said that till 2022, a tax of Rs 5 was collected from all the footpath business traders of the Bhawaniganj market. However, the tax has been increased to Rs 30 by the municipality in the new year due to which the businesspeople are facing problems. They further questioned why Rs 5 are still being taken from the vegetable traders, but Rs 30 from the footpath traders. They further warned to go on strike if the problems are not resolved.