Thaindian News

Kozhikode, Nov 25 (IANS) The two main bodies of traders in Kerala will down their shutters Tuesday to protest the centre’s decision to allow 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail in the country.

Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) president T. Nasaruddin told reporters in Kozhikode that the protest on Tuesday is just a token one.

“We will take out demonstrations and stage dharnas in district headquarters because this is going to finish us. Close to five million people are going to be affected by the centre’s decision,” said Nasaruddin.

Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters in Kozhikode that the government should reverse its decision of allowing FDI in retail because the small traders would “vanish from the market”.

The Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi, the second organisation of traders, said the cabinet decisio will sound the death knell of small traders who “will succumb to the big corporates”.

“Just as what we see in the farmers community, where suicides are common, this indiscriminate act to please the corporates would drive the small traders to commit suicides. This has to be withdrawn and Tuesday’s protest is just the first protest by us,” KSVVS state secretary E.S. Biju told reporters in the state capital.