FDI IN RETAIL: Trade leaders to meet leaders of political parties

New Delhi, November 18, 2012: In the wake of upcoming Parliament Session which will begin from November 22, the prominent trade leaders of leading Trade Associations and Chambers of different States will be camping in Delhi on November 21and 22 under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to pursue the issue of FDI in Retail with prominent leaders of different national and regional parties.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal informed today that since FDI in Retail is going to be a major issue in upcoming Parliament session, the group of trade leaders will impress upon all political parties to unitedly oppose the FDI in Retail. The CAIT has prepared an exhaustive memorandum which will be presented to leaders of all political parties. The memorandum contains the true facts and figures and various provisions related to FDI. It will also spell out how the government has distorted the facts in order to provide extraordinary major benefits to global retailers without assessing its impact on economy and retail trade.

He further said that the memorandum also contains the description of business module of the MNCs and how they influence the policies because of their enormous resources and political reach which enables them to control and dominate the retail trade.

Khandelwal also said that the Trade Leaders Group will meet allies of NDA and UPA beside meeting the leaders of Left Front, all Communist Parties, SP, BSP, DMK, AIADMK, TMC, BJD. They have also sought appointment with NDA Chairman L. K. Advani and NDA Convener Sharad Yadav besides seeking an appointment with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Under the banner of "Khudra FDI Virodhi Rashtriya Morcha" a national concalve will also be held on FDI in Retail-Its impact on Small Industries on November 22 at New Delhi which will be addressed by Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Sharad Yadav, Senior Parliamentarian and President Janta Dal (U) and Sita Ram Yechury, Senior leader of Communist Party of India (M). The conclave is likely to be attended by leaders of small industries organisations of different states.