FDI: Nationwide strike on September 20

A nationwide strike on September 20 against the Centre’s decision to allow 51 per cent foreign equity in retail business has been announced by political parties and merchants’ associations opposing the move. A statement from the central office of the CPI, signed by leaders of the SP, CPM and TDP, urged people to participate in the agitations against the “anti-people measures” of the UPA.

Smaller shops and merchants in Tamil Nadu, under the aegis of Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu, too decided to down shutters on Thursday, said AM Vikramaraja, national vice-president of the traders’ body.

Accusing the Centre of employing diversionary tactics when its credibility hit rock bottom due to a string of scams, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and BJP stalwart, Arun Jaitely, on Saturday said he was hopeful that the UPA government would fall on the FDI issue. “India has not done enough reforms in manufacturing. Our loan rates are higher, labour laws are tough and prices of goods produced are also high. Hence, the beneficiaries of FDI in retail would be countries like China where goods could be sourced at a cheaper rate,” he said.

In a stinging statement, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said there seemed to be no end to the anti-people policies of the Centre. “The big corporations come here only to exploit our resources and not do service,” Vaiko said, demanding immediate withdrawal of the policy.

PMK founder S Ramadoss said by announcing the FDI policy in retail, the Centre had broken the backbone of small traders. The the Swadeshi Jagran Manch said close to 3.3 crore traders, their families and 1.7 crore workers who thrived on subsidiary businesses, would be affected.