CPI (M) to hold protests against FDI in retail

Vijayawada, Mar 6: The CPI (M) today (Mar 6, 2006) said it would hold seminars and meetings protesting against the Centre allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector.

Addressing a press conference here, CPI (M) State Secretariat Member Y Venkateswara Rao said the meetings will also highlight the implementation of reforms in municipalities by the state government 'as per World Bank diktats.' He also called for suspension of reforms ushered in by state government in urban areas as they will impose heavy financial burden on middle class and poor people.

The three-day workshop which concluded here today decided to exert pressure on the state government to implement promises made to people prior to municipal elections.

Alleging the government had stopped supplying rice and kerosene to new cards in fair price shops, he said the CPI (M) will hold agitation from March 20 to March 30 besides picketing mandal and revenue offices thereafter.

UNI