The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Vijayakant opposes entry of corporate giants into retail sector

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Vijayakant opposes entry of corporate giants into retail sector

Staff Reporter

Says Government failed to check price rise

— Photo: M. Balaji

THROWING A CHALLENGE: Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder leader Vijayakant addressing a May Day rally organised by the party's labour wing in Tirupur on Tuesday.

TIRUPUR: Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam leader Vijayakant on Tuesday opposed the entry of corporate giants Reliance and Wal-Mart into the retail sector and said it would ruin small traders and increase unemployment.

Addressing party workers at the May Day celebrations organised by party's labour wing, he came down heavily on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government for its policies and programmes.

He questioned the Government's claim on the number of jobs generated by the private sector by allowing foreign direct investment.

A lot of FDI was flowing into Tamil Nadu in the name of economic reforms.

But, these companies were engaging employees on contract and there was no social security.

Mr. Vijayakant said unemployed youth were running small ventures. "If the big chains are allowed, where will the small merchants, who sell vegetables, fruits and flowers go?

The retail stores initially sell goods at reduced rates. After wiping out all the small players from business, they will determine the rates.''

Price rise

He charged the DMK Government with failing to checking price rise. "If the Government had procured essential commodities much earlier it could have prevented price rise." Mr. Vijayakant said the "State now needs development schemes, not populist programmes." He asked the Chief Minister to give jobs to one member of each family instead of giving free colour television boxes.

Mr. Vijayakant said he would never go for any alliance and would strive hard to form a Government on his own. He maintained that the DMDK alone would ensure employment and good education to the youth.

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