The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) will organise a demonstration on September 20, 2012, to protest against the Centre's decision to introduce 51 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail sector.
This was confirmed via telephone by T Nazirudeen, president, KVVES, who also said, "We (traders) will also down shutters on October 3, 2012, to oppose the new Food Safety and Standards of Authority of India (FSSAI) reforms."
KVVES is chalking out plans to protect retailers in the state, which has been excluded from the nationwide bandh on September 20, which was called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party, and its allies to protest against the hike in diesel prices.
"The Samithi hopes the state will bring in rules to protect the interests of the retailers. It will review the situation and take a decision if the state government fails to honour its promise," Mariyil Krishnan Nair, vice-president, KVVES, said.
He said that the objective of the anti-FSSAI demonstration was to highlight the 'blunder' the country's apex food regulator was committing - implementing rules without making adequate preparations for the same, adding that hotels, bakeries and other shops would join the strike.
A few months ago, after the Centre vested discretionary powers in the states to implement 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, Oommen Chandy, Kerala's chief minister, had stated that the move would not be applicable to the southern state.
Protests in Thiruvananthapuram too
Although they weren't available for comment, a Thiruvananthapuram-based traders' body, Kerala Samsthana Vyapari Vyavasayi Samithi, also announced their protest - a march in the state capital on September 20, 2012.
They added that Chandy, who was opposed to the invasion of the state by overseas retailers, hadn't commented on the issue after the Centre's announcement. It shows the government's inability to resist the Centre's decision, which, in effect, would have mandate all over India.
Earlier, when multinational giants entered the retail space in Kerala, there were cases of denial of licences. But the retailers would challenge it in court and win a favourable verdict, a prominent office-bearer of the Samithi said, adding that similar situations could occur this time too.
Another member of the body said the Centre's intention was to sanction the establishment of mega retail chains in cities having a population of 10 lakh or more. No city in Kerala met the prescribed norms for setting stores under the new format, but the city limits could be stretched to include wider areas such as Greater Kochi.
