FDI IN RETAIL: BUVM decides to stage protest at Jantar Mantar on Dec 3

Ludhiana, November 18, 2012: Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM) has rejected FDI in the retail sector and it has decided to stage a massive protest against it at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on December 3.

This was announced by the BUVM national president Shyam Bihari Mishra, ex-MP, in an interaction with the media persons after presiding over an important meeting of National Executive Committee of the BUVM alongwith working committee members of Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal (PPBM).

He told that the UPA-led government had been misguiding the country on the issue of FDI in retail. He believed that it was not in the interest of the trade and industry and the nation as well. He said FDI in retail would not only badly affect retail sector but wholesale trade also. Besides, country’s transport sector would get affected seriously. All these sectors would arrive near to the closure, he feared.

He termed that FDI in retail would “led the nation towards slavery”.

Further, he told that they had decided to send ten lakh postcards carrying message against FDI in retail from across the country to the Prime Minister. He revealed that this nation-wide campaign had already started from Uttar Pradesh.

Besides, the BUVM had decided to collect 10 lakh signatures of traders against FDI in retail. These signatures would be sent to President of India, he said.

He told that they had also written to all MPs, irrespective of their political parties, across the country, to support the traders’ community on the issue and support them for the cause in the Parliament. He regretted that the UPA-led government had been following the policies of the other nations.

He also sought that there should be a ban on forward trading.

Replying to a question, he told that the today’s meeting also discussed problems and difficulties being faced by the traders’ community in Punjab. He outrightly rejected the state government’s decision of introducing “e-TRIP” system and charging of processing fee in Punjab. He asked the traders across Punjab to press upon the state government to refund their processing fee, which was not a genuine decision. He said no other state had introduced e-TRIP system so far. He also condemned the Punjab Government for enhancing power tariff from back date.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, Mishra called upon traders to get united against FDI in retail and participate in maximum numbers in the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on December 3.

He asked the traders’ community in Punjab to demand for accidental insurance of Rs. 5 lakh for a trader from the state government on the pattern of UP. He said in case of accidental death of a registered VAT dealer in UP, his dependents were paid claim of Rs. 5 lakh. He said the premium amount was paid by the UP government. He sought that all states should introduce this scheme.

Further, he sought pension for traders in all the states on the pattern of the Kerala government. He asserted that Traders Welfare Boards be set up for the purpose.

He also urged upon the Union government to introduce Traders Credit Cards on the pattern of Kissan Credit Cards, so that a trader could get credit from the banks after showing this card. Presently, traders were compelled to give bribe for getting credit from the banks. He also asked the traders to stop giving bribes to government officials for getting their works done.

He asked the traders to get united against VAT surveys being carried out in Punjab.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal state president Amrit Lal Jain, general secretary Sunil Mehra and secretary Mohinder Aggarwal.