Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu (traders’ federation) president A.M. Vikramaraja called on Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the Secretariat here on Friday and urged the State government to adopt a resolution in the Assembly against allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector. Addressing mediapersons after meeting the Chief Minister, Mr. Vikramaraja voiced federation’s opposition to FDI in the retail sector. citing the recent acquisition of a majority of shares in Bengaluru-based e-commerce firm Flipkart by American retail giant Walmart.
“We have urged the CM to adopt a resolution against it in the Assembly,” he added.
Mr. Vikramaraja said the federation had urged the State government to provide alternative lands for traders who had been affected by the Metro project in Purasawalkam.
“Projects relating to the Smart City scheme affecting shops in Thanjavur and the government vacating shops on lands belonging to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department were some of the other issues we had raised with the CM,” he said.
Issues reasonable rent for shop owners in government shops, eviction of over 3,500 shops in Gandhi market in Tiruchi and the time needed for the traders.
“The Chief Minister said he would consider our requests and take action after consulting with the officials concerned,” he said.
