National strike by garment traders today

Garment retailers across the nation will observe a day-long bandh on Monday protesting the proposed mandatory 10 per cent duty on branded garments in the recent Union Budget, the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) said on Sunday.

It is expected that retailers including leading department stores like Pantaloon, Big Bazaar, Shoppers Stop, Westside, Globus and Reliance, among others, will join the token strike, CMAI president Rahul Mehta said.

The provision was aimed at bringing the branded readymade garments under the excise net. Earlier, the excise duty on branded apparel was voluntary. But henceforth, the branded apparel manufacturers will have to compulsorily pay the excise duty of 10 per cent.

In view of the proposed duty, CMAI initiated protests in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other parts of the country.