Kerala - Kochi   

Traders down shutters

Staff Reporter

In protest against entry of monopolies into retailing

DESERTED: Most shopping establishments in the city remained closed on Wednesday as part of a State-wide agitation under the auspices of the Kerala Vyapara Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi.

KOCHI: Traders in the city kept their shops closed on Wednesday in protest against the entry of monopolies into retailing. The agitation was part of a State-wide protest organised by various traders’ organisations and trade unions. The protest was observed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Headload workers belonging to various trade unions joined the hartal. Hotels and medical shops were exempted.

The traders took out a rally from the High Court Junction to the telephone exchange near the Boat Jetty where a dharna was organised. Kochi Corporation Deputy Mayor C.K. Mani Shankar inaugurated the dharna.

The agitation was total and peaceful, L.A. Joshi, president, Ernakulam Merchants’ Union, said. The protest should open the eyes of the political parties to the necessity of preventing monopolies in retail trade, he said. Small traders would be affected the most by the entry of the multinationals.

It was not only foreign entities that could pose a serious threat to the trading community. Monopolistic trading houses were engaged in large-scale purchases that harmed the small businessmen.

Some of the companies that had already entered the scene were purchasing large tracts of agricultural land in various States. They were also setting up massive storage facility. The net result would be an uneven shift in favour of the big trading houses as the small traders did not have the wherewithal to compete with them, Mr. Joshi said.

He also alleged that several political parties lacked sincerity in supporting the cause of the small traders.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Blending rain and culture on canvas
Bonding with society
Eviction: resort plea to be heard HIGH COURT ROUND-UP
Traders down shutters
Traditional boats keep away from sea
Sri Lankan Minister visits school
Corporation notifies new waste dumping sites
Property show begins tomorrow
C.V. Pappachan award presented
RPF hands over boy to Childline
Drive against low-quality helmets
Cochin port to function round the clock
Kochi Today
Diploma holders denied admission

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu