Sonia asks govt to 'study' impact of retail chains

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is believed to have asked the government to study the impact of transnational supermarkets on the livelihood of small-time traders.

According to sources, Gandhi recently made this observation to the Prime Minister's Office.

When contacted, Congress media cell chairman Janardan Dwivedi said he had no idea about any such communication. The staff at 10, Janpath, Gandhi's official residence, refused to comment on this.

While attempts to get an official confirmation from the government did not elicit any response, sources suggested that Gandhi had asked the PMO to consider having all the relevant issues examined before further decisions were taken.

Gandhi's reported remarks come in the backdrop of a recent tie-up between Wal-Mart Inc, the world's largest supermarket chain, and Bharti Enterprises, the holding company of mobile telephony firm Bharti Airtel.

It may be recalled that the deal, the structure of which is yet to be formally announced, had seen the PMO asking the industry department in the commerce ministry to examine it.

Official sources confirmed the department had analysed the deal and provided its response to the PMO.