Delhi traders protest against ICRIER report on retail trade

New Delhi, June 10 : Traders today protested here against alleged insulting remarks made about the fraternity in the recently submitted Council of Research in International Economic Relations (ICRIER) report on retail trade to the Union Government.

The protestors burnt a copy of the report and alleged that the report was misleading and was made to promote corporate giants.

Agitating traders also demanded that the Government should withdraw derogatory remarks in the report.

A booming Indian economy coupled with a growing affluent middle class has significantly increased the purchasing powers of people and retail giants, both domestic and international, are eyeing the retail market, estimated to be 350 billion dollars.

The entry of the big retail giants has resulted in protests and demonstration all over the country as it is feared that it will put family-run "mom and pop" stores out of business.

India is a land of retail democracy with hundreds of thousands of weekly bazaars located across the length and breadth of the country by people's own organizational capacities.

The dominance of a few corporations on the retail market against millions of hawkers and small shopkeepers is not favoured.

ANI