Traders shut down nationwide to protest Walmart-Flipkart deal

The Bharat Bandh called by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) against Walmart’s acquisition of retail major Flipkart and FDI in the retail sector on Friday, September 28, was supported by traders nationwide. The traders association in several states such as Karnataka, North East, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and others have extended their support.

The CAIT also held a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The traders in the national capital, also focussed on the sealing issue. The traders have been demanding an immediate promulgation for an ordinance to stop sealing of shops.

The markets in Delhi’s prominent place like Connaught Place, Chawri Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Kashmiri Gate, Pahar Ganj, Karol Bagh, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Amar Colony, Green Park, Khan Market, Rajouri Garden, Tilak Nagar, Laxmi Nagar, Vikas Marg, Lajpat Nagar, Shahdara and others remained shut.

CAIT has been opposing the US retail giant Walmart's proposed acquisition of 77% stake in Bengaluru-based Flipkart in a $16-billion deal. Last month, it had also filed a petition in National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the Competition Commission of India's decision to approve the deal. They had also demanded the formulation of a transparent policy for e-commerce businesses, withdrawal of permission of 100 % foreign investment in single brand retail, declaration of a national trade policy for retail trade and formation of a separate ministry of internal trade for traders.

The FRAI (Federation of Retailer Association of India), which consists of more than four crore micro, small and medium retailers, had extended its support for the Bharat Bandh called by CAIT. It had appealed to the government to revoke the Walmart-Flipkart deal.

In a statement, the FRAI had said that government's move would hurt Indian traders, which would be affected by discounting, loss funding and market concentration strategies adopted by e-commerce firms.

Ram Asre Mishra, the president of FRAI said, "We believe that the Walmart–Flipkart deal will jeopardise the livelihoods of India’s millions of retailers. Such collaborations of multinationals will increase the cost of doing business for the poor retailers and will severely impact our daily earnings.”