Traders’ associations have announced their decision to go on strike on December 1, across the country, against the Cabinet's decision to open the retail sector.
Two traders’ associations — Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal — have urged more than 10,000 trade organisations across the country to participate in the ‘Bharat Vyapar Bandh’.
“The foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail will create uneven level playing field in the country, which would tilt towards the multi-national companies and prove to be a nightmare for trade and consumers,” said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, CAIT.
CAIT also threatens to campaign against the government in the elections in five states, next year.
“Our national core will assess the situation and continue with our protests, even if that means campaigning against the government,” said Khandelwal.
The trade leaders want the government to withdraw the permission of FDI in retail and constitute a joint committee of stakeholders to look into the recommendations of parliamentary standing committee.
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“We will seek support to the Bharat Vyapar Bandh from all political parties and organisations of farmers, transporters, labourers, employees and other sections of the people who are dependent upon retail trade for their livelihood,” he said.
They blame the government for the shortcomings on the infrastructure front. “For such a failure, the small traders cannot be made a scapegoat. The traders could be wiped out once the MNCs begin their operations in India,” he said. He cited traders’ fear of predatory pricing by the MNCs to wipe out the competition.