Traders launch agitation against corporate retail business

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Traders, hawkers and farmers today launched a nationwide agitation in protest against the entry of corporate retailers and multinational companies into retail trade and demanded a blanket ban on commercial operations of industrial houses into the sector.

The demonstrators, under the aegis of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), staged a sit-in today at Reliance Fresh Store in Paharganj.

Apart from trade leaders representatives of Navdanya, a body of farmers, All India Hawkers Federation, India FDI Watch and others joined the protest.

Calling for a united fight against corporate houses, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal criticised the government for allowing the multinationals to ''hijack retail trade of India''.

''The move will lead to monopolistic capitalism in the country,'' he added.

Mr Khandelwal said due to lack of level playing field small retail stores, mid-level departmental and chain shops would be severely hit, depriving millions of people of their jobs and livelihood.

''The Government has no plan to provide alternative employment to such large number of people... Wiping out the country's traditional retail trade which has evolved without any government help will prove to be detrimental to the Indian economy,'' he added.

The CAIT Secretary General said to observe Quit India Day -- August 9-- as Retail Democracy Day' across the country and nationwide protests, rallies and demonstrations will be organised in all states, including Delhi.

UNI