The Hindu Business Line : Protest against big cos entering retail sector

New Delhi, Aug. 9 A coalition of several hundred hawkers, farmers, trade unions and social organisations took to the road across the country, shouting and burning effigies, to mark their protest against entry of big corporate houses, such as Bharti, Wal-Mart and Reliance into retail.

The day August 9 is also remembered as the day when the ‘Quit India’ movement was flagged-off in 1942, by Mahatma Gandhi. The hawkers observed this day as the ‘Quit Retail’ day and declared to launch a ‘national movement for retail democracy’.

Mr Dharmendra Kumar, Director, FDI Watch India said, “Both Ms Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh have acknowledged the dangers of corporations entering into the retail sector. The Government has also commissioned a study looking at the impact of the entire supply chain on livelihoods after Ms Sonia Gandhi had written a letter of caution. However, both the Congress Chief and the Prime Minister have remained silent over the Bharti-Wal-Mart joint venture, and have not taken any subsequent actions.”

Mr Kumar demanded that the Bharti-Wal-Mart deal be immediately revoked and all corporations stopped from foraying into the sector until thorough study has been conducted by any independent special taskforce comprising stakeholders.

Mr Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary, Confederation of All India Traders, said, “The livelihoods of retail traders are at stake. If big retail giants like Wal-Mart and Reliance come into the country, small traders would be finished.” He added, “A mass campaign will be launched to strike back and make corporations realise that we will not let them ruin our livelihoods.”

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