Retailers protest Govt move to allow entry of industrial houses

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) Traders, farmers, hawkers and NGOs from all over the country today protested the Union Government's move to allow global retailers and big industrial houses of India to enter retail trade.

According to the leaders addressing a national convention organised by the India FDI watch group, a nationwide movement would be launched against the entry of global giants and big industrial houses into retail trade.

''It will ruin the backbone of domestic trade,'' said CAIT Secretary-General Praveen Khandelwal. ''The retail trade in India is about 180 billion dollars, nearly 10 per cent of the GDP and is generating employment for about 25 million people, which accounts for nearly eight per cent of the labour force in India.'' Mr Khandelwal also pointed out that the trade was unorganised, fragmented and did not have any customised network.

''Also, mostly the trade is individually owned and majority of such shops have 500 sq. ft or less space and are working in a very dilapidated environment. Yet, these shops are 'revenue generators' for the government,'' he added.

''Had the Government framed a national trade policy, it would have done a commendable job for the betterment and upliftment of small retailers in India,'' he regretted.

UNI