Traders and shopkeepers will hold a nationwide protest next week against a hike in taxes on a range of products and services, including food grains and household items, that went into effect on Monday, a top official of a leading traders’ group said.

“The 5 per cent tax on a range of food products, which remained tax free so far, and hike in rates on other household items has increased the inflation burden on the public and traders,” Confederation of All India Traders’ chief Pravin Khandelwal said.