GURUDAS DAS GUPTA seeks traders support for Bharat Bandh on Feb 20-21

New Delhi, January 31, 2013: Senior CPI Parliamentarian and veteran trade union leader Gurudas Gupta today in Mumbai lashed out at Central Government in strong words for its anti-people policies which have caused enough damage to small and medium sector of the country.

"The policies of the Central Government is like a dying declaration for not only the labour class but even for traders, small and medium industries, hawkers, consumers and other sections of the economy. Therefore all the 11 Central Trade Unions irrespective of their political alliance have called for a Bharat Bandh on February 20-21 to warn the government.

In a rare gesture he sought cooperation from trading community to join hands with trade unions by observing complete closure of shops across the country.

He also assured full support of all trade unions to join "Save Retail Democracy Rally on March 7 at New Delhi to be orgasnised by CAIT and Khudra FDI Virodhi Rashtriya Morcha.  

He was speaking at a meeting at APMC Market, Navi Mumbai organised by the Maharashtra Chapter of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and other trade associations.

CAIT National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, National Secretary Ramesh Khanna, CAIT Maharashtra Chapter President Kirti Rana, Chairman Harendra Shah and its State General Secretary Mahesh Bakahi and several other trade leaders were present at the meeting.

Gurudas Das Gupta called upon the Traders, Farmers, Hawkers, Small Industries and Trade Unions to forge a unity and form a strong alliance to fight against the dictatorial and detrimental policies of the Government.

Calling FDI in Retail as the biggest blunder of the Central Government, Dasgupta alleged that the Government is working under the pressure of foreign powers. He said that our fight on this issue does not end with a vote in the Parliament rather now it will be more intensified and we will be on roads till such decision is not withdrawn. The government has to pay for its lapses.

He regretted that people educated in foreign countries reading foreign reports are preparing the economic policies which are in real terms are "anarth” policy which has caused enough damage to the economy. The move of snatching small money from small people and handing over the same to a few big corporate will never be accepted even at the cost of filling the jails. He hoped that leaders who committed a mistake in Lok Sabha will not repeat the same in Rajya Sabha.Obviously he was refering to Mulayam Singh, Mayawati and DMK.

CAIT National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal while responding to Gupta's call for joining February 20-21 Bharat Bandh said that the National Core Committee of CAIT is holding its important meet on February 3 at Mumbai and a decision will be taken.

Khandelwal alleged the Union Government for depriving the Parliament with certain important facts and figures on FDI in Retail. He said that Commerce Minister Anand Sharma is more like a Minister of any European Government. He regretted that when the day the Union Cabinet was appointing one man inquiry committee on Walmart bribery issue, Sharma was shaking hands with Walmart CEO same day at Davos and was assuring him that the FDI policy is in finality which is patently wrong and misleading since the issue is still under consideration of Rajya Sabha. Sharma should be charged with breach of Parliament.

CAIT Maharashtra State President Kirti Rana said that the traders and other sections of the people are unable to carry smooth business because of several new laws, acts and rules which are not required. Citing LBT and Food Safety and Standards Act as some of the examples, he said that loading the traders with much paper work will prove counter productive and will result in fall of business and revenue. The government should bring trade friendly policies in order to have a congenial atmosphere for smooth business.

CAIT National Secretary Ramesh Khanna informed that the CAIT is observing February month as "Save Retail Democracy Month" all over the country. The enthusiastic response of the traders and other sections of retail trade is bound to result in a unprecedented success of massive rally against FDI in Retail on March 7 at New Delhi.