The Hindu Business Line : Trade body opposes retail players' entry

Kolkata May 21 The Federation of West Bengal Trade Associations (FWBTA) might resort to non-cooperation movement through non-payment of sales and other taxes if the State Government permits the entry of large-scale organised retail players including Reliance and Metro Cash N Carry in the State, according to Mr Mahesh Kumar Singhania, Chairman (P&PR), FWBTA.

According Mr Singhania, the association has approached several politicians both from the ruling and opposition parties and has given a memorandum to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

"It (the entry of these large players) is a cause of concern. According to our estimate nearly 2.5 crore people will be unemployed and livelihood of nearly five crore people will be affected," Mr Singhania told presspersons here on Monday.

"Such a move is nothing other than a well planned cold murder. We are not opposing Reliance only. We are against all of them," he added. Mr Singhania said the Government should amend its existing laws to safeguard the interest of small and medium traders.

The association also plans to launch a state-wide agitation, undertake mass awareness programmes and resort to strikes if they "fail to convince the politicians and the government." More than 3,000 associations and chambers across the State are members of FWBTA.

More Stories on : Retailing | West Bengal | Industry Associations

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
HLL decides to drop Sunsilk leave-on lotion

Airtel cuts rates to US, Canada to Rs 1.99

TV 18 group plans general entertainment channel

Raj TV brightens on `Kalaignar channel'

SMA Abacus plans more centres

Mydollarstore enters Pune

Trade body opposes retail players' entry

New wave of advocacy to make or break brands

Andhra Bank unveils mobile biometric ATMs

Target India: Vodafone launches low cost handsets

Optra's diesel variant soon