Ranchi: The CPI (M) on Sunday said fledgling
states like Jharkhand would be hit hard if the retail section
was handed over to multi-national retail chains as
traditionally the sector provided largest possible
self-employment.
"The Centre should revoke its decision as one/sixth of
the country’s population depend on the retail network. Once
these multinational retail brands like Walmart set up shops
the traditional retail network would be broken, leaving lakhs
of families in penury," CPI(M) Central Committee member J S
Majumdar said here.
From loading, unloading, transport, wholesale to
village and urban markets, he added, the retail network has
been the backbone of a large part of unorganised sector.
"The purpose of whatever so called steps the
government has been taking to eradicate poverty would be
defeated once the organised sector, having different
yardsticks, gets control of retail market," he predicted.
The CPI (M) and its trade wing CITU would support the
nationwide shutdown on December 1 called by the Confederation
of All India Traders to protest the Centre’s decision
allowing multinational brands in the retail.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, November 27, 2011, 18:02