Traders protest ban on retail outlets

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 17

The Federation of Retailer Association of India (FRAI), a representative body of four crore micro, small and medium retailers across the country, with 34 retail associations from North, South, East and West as the members, today staged protest against suggested trade and product restrictions for outlets selling multiple product of daily use, including bread, eggs, juices, soft drinks, wafers, etc.

The FRAI also felt that if this arbitrary suggestion was implemented, it would lead to intense harassment of poor retailers and a sharp increase in the cost of doing business and reduction of their income.

The FRAI appealed to Prime Minister Narender Modi to protect the interests of 75 lakh micro retailers who sell multiple products to earn a meagre sum to look after their families and save them from the potential harassment. Foreign funded NGOs are pressurising the government with misleading information campaigns to frame anti-small retailer policies.

Explaining the issue, FRAI president Ram Asre Mishra said, “Introduction of trade and product restrictions for outlets selling multiple products of daily use would only increase the cost of doing business."