Sheila describes traders as backbone of the economy

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said the trading community that has rendered yeomen service to the country's economy could be rightly termed as its backbone.

While inaugurating a two-day conference of trade leaders here, she said no government or a political party could afford to ignore the traders.

Speaking on the occasion senior BJP leader V K Malhotra said FDI in retail trade would not only destroy internal trade but also de-stablise the basic fundamentals of the Indian economy.

Trade leaders from more than 22 states, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir were taking part in the meet.

UNI