Fernandes on 'road to Parliament' in support of small traders

Ranchi, May 14 (UNI) Condemning police action against vegetable vendors protesting the opening of Reliance Fresh outlets in Ranchi, NDA convenor George Fernandes today said he would go on a 'road to Parliament' to save small traders who were being affected by large industrial houses.

Mr Fernandes took this decision after meeting vegetable vendors jailed for vandalising the Reliance Fresh outlets in the city.

On May 12, about 3,000 small vegetable sellers demonstrated before the Reliancefresh outlets, in which one of the shops was vandalised and about 14 persons were detained by the police.

As a direct attack on the Reliance group, Mr Fernandes said everyone in the country was aware of the ways the company had made money from the Indian market, adding that he was the lone member of Parliament whom the industrial house never dared to bribe.

Mr Fernandes said he was against the policy of the Ambanies as they would hamper the business of small traders.

Citing the example of US-based company Wal-Mart, the NDA convenor said the entrance of this business house would create problems for about four crore small traders throughout the country.

Quoting a higly-placed official of the US-based company, Mr Fernandes said they knew that people would resist their entry but they had made all ''arrangements''.

He said the matter should be inquired as to how the retail giant got smooth entry into India and added that a few days back South Africa also faced a similar situation.

The NDA leader also visited the outlets and met vegetable sellers jailed for the agitation.

UNI