Merchants downed shutters across Kerala in protest against the entry of multinational giants into the retail sector.
Threaten to expand stir if state govt goes ahead with plan on FDI in retail
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Merchants downed shutters across Kerala in protest against the entry of multinational giants into the retail sector. An umbrella organisation of traders and head-load workers conducted a march to the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. The march, attended by leaders across the political spectrum, was led by the ruling CPI (M)’s state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan. Though the party has been giving mixed signals on the issue, Vijayan’s message was clear on Wednesday.
“Kerala is against the entry of multinational giants into the retail sector. We should honour the sentiments of the state on the matter. We, at the Left Democratic Front meeting have decided to keep these big groups from the retail sector. Local self-governance bodies should not grant license to multinational monopolies,” Vijayan said, addressing the march in front of the Raj Bhavan.
In Kochi, CPI (M)’s deputy mayor CK Mani Shankar led a march to the Telephone Exchange. Shankar and former mayor CM Dinesh Mani, now a legislator, were embroiled in a row when the duo inaugurated two of the three outlets launched by Reliance Retail in Kochi. In both cities, the hartal was imposed, excluding hotels, liquor shops and medical shops.
The ‘hartal’ was called by the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, which had recently imposed a boycott on ITC, and the Left-leaning Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi. Trade unions affiliated to CITU have pledged their support to the agitation against domestic and foreign corporate houses.
The traders threaten to expand stir if the state goes ahead with its decision on FDI in retail.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}