The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : LDF to oppose retail monopolies

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Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

LDF to oppose retail monopolies

Special Correspondent

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has resolved to do everything within its power to oppose entry of retail monopolies into the country.

Briefing reporters after the LDF panel meeting here on Tuesday, Front convener Vaikom Viswan said the committee had asked the Government not to encourage retail monopolies that had already entered the State and to prevent entry of more such retail chains. The committee also requested the local self-government institutions not to grant licence to such chains and cancel licences already given if the law permits. If necessary, existing laws would be amended for the purpose, he said and called upon the people to support the initiative.

Asked how the LDF could take a moral high ground on the issue and appeal to the people to boycott such retail chains when a CPI(M) MLA and the Deputy Mayor of the Kochi Corporation had no confusion in inaugurating the retail outlets of Reliance in Kochi, Mr. Viswan said the two CPI(M) leaders had openly admitted their mistake and tendered a public apology.

Mr. Viswan said the LDF committee had also asked the Central and State Governments not to permit cultivation of Bt. Paddy in Kerala. The M.S. Swaminathan Commission had pointed out the dangers of allowing cultivation of Bt. Paddy in the Western Ghats. However, the Centre had cleared a request for experimental cultivation of Bt. Paddy in Palakkad. The Centre should withdraw the permission granted for the purpose, he added.

The LDF convener alleged that a concerted effort was on in the State to make it appear as if the LDF Government was opposed to the minorities.

A campaign has been unleashed by certain vested interests to make it appear that the Government has decided to change the school timings. This has created confusion in the minds of the Muslim community. The Government has not issued any order changing school timings. As such, the campaign has no basis and is ill-motivated.

He said the LDF committee had also discussed the proposal for introducing community policing all over the State and had arrived at the conclusion that the matter needed closer examination to ensure that there was total consensus on it in society. The matter would come up for discussion before the next LDF committee meeting, he said. Mr. Viswan said the LDF sub-committee report on the Munnar operations did not come up before the committee because the Chief Minister was not present at the meeting.

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