AP edible oil dealers oppose new licensing system

Kakinada, Sep 7 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh State Edible Oil Dealers Welfare Association today demanded the withdrawal of the Government Order imposing new restrictions on trade.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the Association's general body meeting here.

Talking to newspersons after chairing the meeting, Association President Grandhi Narayanarao Babji alleged that the implementation of the GO would subject the traders to harassment by officials of various departments as it stipulated that the retail trader should obtain several new licenses to carry out the trade.

The meeting had also decided to lead a delegation to Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on September 11 in this regard.

He threatened to take up agitational programmes if the Chief Minister failed to respond favourably.

Coastal Districts Merchants Association Secretary Ashok Kumar Jain said the traders wanted the new licensing system to be scrapped as it ''cleared the way for corruption.'' ''We have the required licenses to carry out the trade. But, according to the new GO, the retail trader has to obtain several other licenses, which is a cumbersome process,'' Mr Jain said.

UNI XR/BR SJ 1801