CAIT TO SUBMIT PETITION on FDI in Retail to Parliament Petition Committee

New Delhi, January 16, 2013: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), apex body of the trading community of the country has decided to submit a petition on the issue of FDI in Retail to petition committee of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha while alleging the Union Government to conceal many true facts related to this issue from the Parliament.

The petition to be submitted to the Petition Committee will contain the true facts and to substantiate the allegation, it will be duly supported by documents of the government.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal declared the decision at Mumbai today.

He also said that it appears that not only the Union Cabinet but also the Prime Minister has been deprived to know the true facts, figures and other relevant information on this issue.
Khandelwal was speaking at a Traders’ Conference held today at Mumbai which was presided by CAIT Maharashtra Chapter Chairman Harendra Shah.

CAIT National Secretary Ramesh Khanna, its Maharashtra Chapter President Kirti Rana, General Secretary Mahesh Bakhai, Vice President Viren Shah and other trade leaders attended the conference.
Khandelwal said it is a mystery that what are those compelling circumstances which are preventing the government to place true facts of the issue before the Parliament and the nation. Even in the last session of the Parliament during debate on FDI in Retail, such facts were never placed before the Parliament. Therefore, as provided under the rules and procedures of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the CAIT will file a petition to respective Petition Committees of both the houses and such petition will in itself begin a debate on this issue.
He further said that in this context, the delegation of CAIT will also meet Leaders of Opposition in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and also the prominent leaders of all political parties. If need they will also seek meeting with Chairperson of Loksabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, said Khandelwal.

Adding, he said since the issue has vital bearing on livelihood of crores of people and that of national economy, it needs a greater debate based on true facts and figures. Therefore, the attempt of the CAIT to file a petition with Petition Committee is an effort to have a debate in both the houses on the basis of the facts as will be stated in the petition. The matter needs greater transparency. “Why the government is in haste to get global retailers on India's retail trade is an issue which can be replied by the government alone”, he said.
further, Khandelwal said that beside petition, the CAIT and Khudra FDI Virodhi Rashtriya Morcha (KFVRM) is holding a massive " Save Retail Democracy Rally" on March 7 at New Delhi which will be attended by thousands of people from all over the country belonging to all retail stakeholders including farmers, hawkers, small industry, transport, consumers, traders and other sectors.

Prominent leaders of all political parties who have opposed FDI in Retail will also be invited.  He said, an "All Party Conference" will also be held just prior to budget session of the Parliament.