Kerala Govt to bring in law to regulate retail giants: Minister

Kochi, Sep 7 (UNI) Declaring the Kerala government's intent to ban national and international giants in the retail sector, if the law permits it, State Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran today said the government will bring in a law to control their functioning.

Addressing the valedictory session of a national seminar on 'Retailing Giants Entry: Effect on Indian Economy' here, he said the Kerala government had also urged the Centre to review its decision to allow big companies to operate in the retail sector.

''The Kerala government is constrained to oppose the retail monopolies in a healthy way,'' he added.

Citing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's decision to ban retail monopoly chains, Mr Divakaran said the Kerala government would also like to do the same if the law allowed it.

Meanwhile, the state government would bring in a law to control the retail giants.

The government had also decided to direct the local bodies not to issue fresh licences to open more stores of these companies, he said.

The Government would also refurbish the outlets of the Kerala Civil Supplies Corporation to enable these to compete with the retail giants, the Minister said, adding that existing rules and regulations would be strictly enforced.

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