Bakeries association demands crackdown on fraudsters, rowdies; submits petition to Home Minister

Karnataka State Bakeries, Condiments & Small Entrepreneurs Association (KSBCSEA) has on Wednesday submitted a petition to the Home Minister G. Parameshwara, demanding for immediate action against petty rowdies posing as BBMP cadres or civic enforcement representatives, and harass and intimidate small business owners under false their authority.

The memorandum said many fraudsters were impersonating BBMP officials, assessment officers, Crime Branch officials, GST officials, and officers of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The memorandum urged the government to protect small entrepreneurs and end unlawful coercion in the name of civic enforcement

Instead of apprehending such impostors, the police, who are part of our protection system, were busy seizing cigarettes from bakeries, condiment shops, beeda shops, and other small traders, it alleged, adding that the police asked the traders to come to the police station, pay a fine of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, and take back their seized goods.

The association demanded a complete ban on cigarettes and tobacco products in the state.

KSBCSEA, president, D.B. Pratap Shetty, condemned the police harassment of bakery owners and small traders and the seizure of cigarettes from their shops.

“These small business owners are finding it increasingly difficult to run their businesses, and on top of that, harassment by petty rowdies is increasing day by day. If the police must take action, they should act against fraudsters and cigarette manufacturers,’’ he insisted.