ALAPPUZHA: The entry of multinational companies into retail marketing sector would adversely affect the interests of common man, Union Minister for Non-Resident Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has said.

Inaugurating the annual general body of Merchants' Association of Cherthala at Cherthala, Mr. Ravi said big malls would cause price hike and would not be of much use to the common man. He recounted that the Union Government had resisted the move of big foreign retail chains starting malls in the country. At present big Indian companies were eyeing the retail market, Mr. Ravi noted.

Mr. Ravi opined that city development projects should not lose its human face and said the Union Government stalled the action of police against small merchants in Delhi as the Government stood for development with a human face.

The Minister said those who had approached Delhi High Court seeking demolition of shops did not do it on their own and owners of big malls were behind them.

Mr. Ravi said the State Government should not take any vindictive steps against merchants on the issue of reported decrease in tax revenue after VAT was implemented and issues should be sorted out through discussions.

He said traders were rendering a service to the State by collecting taxes from the public.

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