Other States - Orissa   

Vendors call Cuttack bandh on January 3

CUTTACK: For the second time during the past five months, street vendors and retail shop owners of Cuttack city have threatened to observe ‘Cuttack bandh’ protesting against the opening of retail outlets by Reliance industries. Under the banner of All Orissa Street Vendors’ Confederation, over 30,000 retail shop owners have given a 12-hour Cuttack bandh call on January 3.

A similar call was given in August this year, but it could not be observed as the city was under heavy deluge due to unprecedented shower that continued for four days. But in the meantime, the reliance outlets called RelianceFresh have opened two of its proposed five outlets in the city.

The Reliance outlets, which have opened at residential colonies in Mahandi Vihar and Abhinav Bidanasi, have started retailing in fresh fruits, vegetables, grocery items and some select products of the company.

Apprehending that the outlets would spell doom for retail shop and kiosk owners of the city, the association which had been picketing in front of these outlets for last four days, gheraoed the District Collector’s office here on Thursday. “When the District Collector failed to give us an assurance, we have decided to observe Cuttack bandh on Thursday next”, said the association president and CPI(M) leader Subash Singh.

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

Stories in this Section

‘Gajapati Utsav’ begins
Drama festival to be held from January 3
Colourful start to Ganjam fete
Primary teachers launch fast
Ensure development of remote areas: MP
21 students taken ill
Fisherfolk seek basic infrastructure
Violence-hit areas remain tense
Prestigious award for Bibhuti Patnaik
Vendors call Cuttack bandh on January 3

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