CITU backs Reliance's retail foray in WB

The West Bengal state committee of CITU on Saturday said it favoured granting of licences to organised retail trade, including Reliance, but was opposed to the entry of foreign players.



The trade union wing of the CPM, however, wanted the state government to impose some restrictions on the functioning of these big corporate entities entering the retail trader. This will help small retailers carry on business, state CITU president Shyamal Chakraborty told reporters.



He said the trade union did not have any objection to contract farming. "Contract farming takes place even now," Chakraborty said while releasing CITU's policy on entry of monopoly capital in retail trade. The government should ensure that farmers did not suffer because of contract farming, he said, adding if necessary, they should be allowed to form cooperatives while entering into such contracts."



Chakraborty said it should be mandatory for these corporate houses to obtain licences. The power to grant licences should be with municipalities or civic corporations