Reliance Fresh hits small-time vegetable vendors

Jaipur, Dec 18 (UNI) The All Rajasthan Agriculture Trade and Industry Association (ARATIA) has alleged that opening of five Reliance Fresh stores here has resulted in a 60 per cent slump in the business of small-time vegetable and fruit vendors.

ARATIA President Banechand Jain today said the mobile vendors whose selling each day used to vary from Rs 200 to Rs 500, have been effected following the opening of these stores this week.

He said the farmers will also face the same fate within a few days and urged the state government to take immediate steps to help the farmers and vegetable vendors and stop the take over of this field by Reliance Fresh.

Eyewitnesses said vegetable vendors also burnt an effigy of Reliance head Mukesh Ambani in the city's Ambabari area, in protest of the onslaught and low prices the new retail stores were offering.

UNI RRT KR ND1816