Reliance Fresh closed in view of law and order

Lucknow, Aug 23: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today said the order to close 10 new Reliance Industries supermarkets was given keeping in view the law and order situation in the state.

"In view of the law and order situation, the concerned district officials have decided to close all the Reliance Fresh stores in Varanasi and Lucknow," Mayawati said.

She added that the stores would remain closed till a high level committee gives the green signal.

"Keeping Lucknow and the Uttar Pradesh state in mind, a ministerial level committee, consisting of health, agricultural, urban development officials has been formed (to look into the matter)," she said.

The move came after protests this week by traders and political activists against the opening of the 'Reliance Fresh' stores.

However, the government decision came as a disappointment for customers.

"It is not good for public because in other states there are similar malls and Reliance stores. And, here one gets everything under one roof. It is also very convenient for working women," said Radha Prasad, shopping for vegetables at a Reliance Fresh outlet here.

Reliance is investing over $5.5 billion in its retail venture, which will include hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount and department stores.

Earlier this morning, Mayawati withdrew the agriculture investment policy, which was announced on August 3, saying it was only a voluntary alternative arrangement for the farmers" benefit.

Addressing a press conference, she said the State retail policy would be reviewed soon.

According to the new agriculture policy unveiled by Mayawati on August 3 for the State, the private players were given free choice to procure crops directly from farmers and open retail centres.

After unveiling the policy early this month, Mayawati had said that it would benefit about 12 crore (120 million) farmers in the State and attract an investment of about Rs 30-40 crore (300-400 million) in next three-four years, creating a new wave of employment.

According to the policy, investors willing to make a capital investment of minimum of Rs 5,000 crore (50 billion) in the next three years will be permitted to purchase crops from the farmers directly.

Besides, several provisions were made under the policy to save farmers from exploitation by the middleman and ensure competitive prices of their produce by allowing private parties to purchase their produce.

Mayawati's policy came under criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which said the policy aimed at helping some big capitalists in the country and 'would ruin small and marginal farmers.'

It was feared that the policy would lead to a massive use of fertilizers by investors that would damage land productivity.

ANI
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