Modi, other political seniors to speak at meet next week

Traders equally concerned about government's plans on allowing foreign investment in e-commerce

Around 2,500 traders, including owners of neighbourhood  stores from across the country, are expected to gather here next Thursday to, among other things, hear and question the political leadership on their issues.

Narendra Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat and prime ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party, will address the two-day meet, on February 27 and 28. Also expected are Arun Jaitley, Murli Manohar Joshi, A B Vardhan, Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Yadav and Kapil Sibal. “We are also talking to leaders from the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and other key political parties for their presence,” said Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary, Confederation of All India Traders.

While preventing multinational companies from opening multi-brand retail chains in the country tops traders' demand list, they are also concerned about the government's plans on allowing foreign investment in e-commerce. As traders constitute a significant vote bank, the convention is seen as an opportunity by parties. The traders, too, expect to lobby for their issues.

Only one foreign chain, Tesco, has opted for entry into multi-brand retailing so far, in spite of the government opening the sector in September 2012. However, traders continue to remain edgy on the matter. Other issues are likely to inclide a national trade policy, under a separate ministry on internal trade, revision of laws governing traders, a better financial mechanism for small businesses and simplification of the tax structure.

Key demands by the traders:

• National Trade Policy under a separate ministry of internal trade
• Review of archaic /old rules & regulations concerning traders
• Setting up a state trade board in each state for development of business
• Simplification and Rationalization of tax structure, road map for GST
• Viable & Alternative financial mechanism for small traders
• Restricting FDI in retail & e-commerce till local retailers are upgraded and modernized to compete