PHD Chamber asks UP govt for a pro-retail sector policy

Lucknow, Sept 28 (UNI) Industry Chamber PHDCCI, Uttar Pradesh chapter, today appealed to the Mayawati government to formulate a policy encouraging organised retail in the state to spur economic growth.

In a representation to the cabinet secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh, the PHDCCI UP Chapter said, ''India has seen phenomenal growth of the organised retail in the past few months. This growth is not limited to any specific product line and includes opening up of large stores offering electronic goods, computers, fabrics, processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables.'' The Chamber pointed out that a large number of business houses have seen this as a great opportunity to diversify. Indian business houses such as Tata, Bharti, Reliance, Raheja and ITC have already started operations in this area. Global giants such as Wal-Mart are just at our doorstep waiting for Central government orders.

Educational institutions are not left behind, which is evident from the fact that management institutions have already launched courses in 'retail management' the Chamber added.

PHDCCI said UP has abundant capacity to expand in the field of organised retail. Therefore, there is a need to ourselves to open up this sector in order to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the country.

''This will naturally require an attractive retail policy for welcoming the major business houses, not only from other states but also from the world over,'' urged PHDCCI.

It pointed out that this provides UP the opportunity to welcome businessmen in the state and highlighted various aspects that would ensure economic growth and prove beneficial to UP and its residents. The retail sector translates into quick development of the state with minimum government investment and involvement whith a is huge public support due to visible benefits of costs and quality to the consumer.

The letter also highlighted the fact that resistance is a natural response to every change. In this case, said PHDCCI, resistance is likely to come from a handful of people who may need to reorganise themselves. The interests of middlemen that account for less than one per cent of the society can be taken care of by suitably blending their services into newer arrangement, suggested PHDCCI.

PHDCCI also provided the UP government with an independent study on retail, which highlights the positive impact of organised retail on the economy of the state as well as the quantum of employment generation and benefit to farmers and consumers in detail.

Meanwhile, in another statement, PHDCCI has urged the Mayawati government to reconsider its decision to withdraw the 'pro-farmer' new Agriculture Policy.

The Chamber said the UP Chief Minister Mayawati had taken a courageous step to amend the UP Krishi Utpadan Mandi Adhiniam, 1964 by opening the Agri sector for private collaboration with an aim to invite the much-needed investment.

Allaying fears and apprehensions, PHDCCI said that implementing the new agri policy was the only way to boost the agri sector in the state.

UNI