The Assam Chamber of Commerce (ACC) has asked the government not to hold the traders responsible for the price rise to save their own skin. The trade body observed a dharna at Jail Road in Fancy Bazar to protest against price rise and to oppose the entry of big corporate houses in the retail trade. The traders are going to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi regarding their demands. A memorandum has already been submitted to the State Commerce Minister a few weeks back. The traders are also facing the brunt of price rise on their business, and there is little for them to do in such circumstances, when the prices are increasing in the source, opines the organisation. Addressing the members of the trade body, who were sitting on the dharna, the State convenor of the body Rupam Goswami said, "Whenever there is price rise, the traders and businessmen are held responsible, which is a wrong belief. There is an urgent need to understand the reason of price rise before starting a blame game.' The trade body reasoned out that prices of essential commodities are soaring due to shortage in agricultural production, improper public distribution system, lack of adequate storage facility, lack of mandis with basic infrastructure and tax burden on essential commodities. "It is being noticed by us that in any political rally or protest against the price rise, the traders are cursed on and off for burning hole in public pocket. The ruling parties also try to get political mileage and shift their burden on business community,' he added. State joint convenor of the ACC, Vijay Kumar Gupta added that the retail traders are the worst sufferers in such circumstances as even government is not coming up to provide any kind of support to them. "Since Independence, the traders are made victims of multiple laws concerning trade and different kind of taxes. Moreover, inspector raj has made things worst for us,' he added. In its memorandum to the Chief Minister, the ACC has demanded to bring shopping mall regulation Act to save the local retail trade, departmental stores and local business chains from the big investors and shopping malls.