TNTF warns of state-wide agitation

Chennai, July 23: The Tamil Nadu Traders Federation (TNTF) will launch a state-wide agitation, if the Tamil Nadu government failed to take concrete steps to prevent the entry of corporate giants like Reliance into the retail trade.

Participating in the Nesapakkam Traders Welfare Association's anniversary here last night, TNTF President T Vellaiyan criticised Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's reported remark that the government would first keenly watch the Kerala and West Bengal governments' action on preventing entry of corporates into the retail trade, before taking a decision on the issue.

Since Tamil Nadu was forerunner in various aspects compared to other states, Mr Karunanidhi's remark was totally ''unwarranted'', he said.

Mr Vellaiyan asked whether Mr Karunanidhi was ready to follow the footprints of Kerala and West Bengal in several other programmes such as labour welfare activities.

He called upon the traders' community to unite under one banner to fight against the entry of corporates into the retail trade.

He alleged that despite several protests by the traders, the DMK government implemented the VAT, because of ''ill advice'' of certain bureaucrats.

He also urged the Centre to ban online trading in the country as it would affect the interests of the traders and the common people.

UNI