By IANS
New Delhi : Traders, farmers and hawkers across the nation Thursday staged protests against the entry of global retail majors in India in the wake of a recent announcement by Wal-Mart, world’s largest retailer, about its plans for India.
“The livelihoods of retail traders are at stake. If big retail giants like Wal-Mart come into the country, small traders would be finished,” said Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
Hundreds of retailers, hawkers, workers and cooperatives also participated in the protest organised here by the Vyapar Rozgaar Suraksha Kriti Samiti, a joint action committee of trade associations, hawkers groups, trade unions and others.
Protests were also witnessed in Bangalore, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Ranchi and Bhopal. In West Bengal the agitation took place in 12 districts.