Delhi traders rally against Reliances retail chain stores

Traders in the Capital took out a demonstration rally against the retail outlets run by Reliance Industries on Wednesday, saying nationwide retail chains will rob vegetable traders of their livelihood.

New Delhi, Aug 1 : Traders in the Capital took out a demonstration rally against the retail outlets run by Reliance Industries on Wednesday, saying nationwide retail chains will rob vegetable traders of their livelihood.

The traders, under the banner of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), said they were protesting to 'safeguard' the interests of small vegetable vendors.

"If they start selling vegetable, salt and butter now, where will the small traders go? Where will the vegetable hawkers and vendors go? Millions of people are employed in this sector. This is a threat for them. We are holding this protest to let the common people and the government know about it," said Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT Secretary General.

Local vegetable vendors lament they are losing customers to the newly opened stores, which offer shoppers farm products at cheaper rates.

The Reliance Industries is investing around 5.6 billion dollars in setting up a nationwide retail chain of hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount stores, department stores, convenience and specialty stores.

Several big Indian firms and foreign players like Britain's Tesco and American Wal-Mart are also planning to enter the fast-growing retail market.

ANI