 |
6-
9, December 2006 Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|||
|
After opposing entry of retail multinational giants like Wal-Mart, the CPI(M) has now turned its guns on big names in the country who are seeking to dominate the domestic retail sector. The party has decided to demand a regulatory authority in the retail sector to check “national monopolies using the field.` “We will demand a regulation for Indian corporates in retail. Organised retail is not helping the consumers or the farmers,` said CPI(M) central secretariat member Nilotpal Basu. Citing the examples of France and Germany where he said similar measures were in place, he said the country should also follow the suit. The CPI(M) had submitted a detailed note to the government in 2005 against the move to allow FDI in the retail sector. According to sources, the CPI(M) is working on a detailed study of both the organised and unorganised retail sector. According to the party, Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand have also regulated organised retailers, at least in certain areas. Senior CPI(M) politburo member and Kerala chief minister had recently blamed the Reliance for the price rise in the state. “There is a scarcity for essential goods in the market and prices are going through the roof as a big monopoly called Reliance has come and started controlling the market. They claim that they would sell essential commodities at low prices,` Achuthanandan had told the media after a state Cabinet meeting at Thiruvananthapuram. However, the CPI-the second largest Left party-is not keen on a regulation for the organised retailers. But they argue that they should not be allowed to function in the retail market. “Retail sale should be let to the retailers. Big business units should not be allowed in the retail sector,` CPI general secretary AB Bardhan said.
Date: 16-Feb-2007
|
|||
