Tata Consumer distributors told to halt targets over unresolved issues

AICPDF urges distributors to stop pursuing company sales targets as grievances over working capital, damages, and trade practices remain unaddressed

The All India Consumer Products Distribution Federation (AICPDF) has directed all distributors of Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) across states to refrain from accepting or pursuing sales targets imposed by the company and to collectively deny any achievement of such targets.

 

This comes after the company failed to address grievances raised by distributors, including issues related to working capital and delays in damage settlements, AICPDF claimed. The body had launched ‘Salt Satyagraha’ on October 13 to press for these demands.

 

According to AICPDF, distributors have been raising several critical issues for months — including unfair trade practices, non-collection of damaged and non-moving goods, arbitrary policies, and lack of field-level support — all of which are severely affecting their business viability.

 

 

AICPDF alleges lack of response from company

 

“However, we have not heard anything from the company. There is a complete breakdown in conversation,” Dhairyashil Patil, national president, AICPDF, told Business Standard.

 

In this regard, an AICPDF National Governing Council meeting was held on October 25, where representatives from 24 states participated. Further, the distributors’ body has decided to march to the company’s office in Mumbai on November 4.

 

Distributors plan protest march to Tata Consumer HQ

 

“Persistent neglect has left distributors with no alternative but to take their protest to the next level. As part of the ongoing Gen D Salt Satyagraha, hundreds of Tata distributors from across Maharashtra, along with AICPDF office bearers, will proceed to Mumbai on November 4 under the banner of ‘Chalo Mumbai’. The march will culminate at the headquarters of Tata Consumer Products, where distributors will peacefully demand justice, dialogue, and accountability from Tata management,” the body said in a note.

 

TCPL did not respond to email queries sent to them till the time of going to press.

 

AICPDF warns of nationwide non-cooperation movement

 

If the company continues to remain unresponsive, AICPDF, Patil said, will launch a nationwide non-cooperation movement against TCPL, and distributors in Maharashtra will stop selling the company’s stock.

 

“The refusal of Tata management to engage in constructive dialogue has eroded the trust of the distributors who built the Tata Namak brand in the general trade network,” the note added.