Hawkers prevent Spencer's hyper mall inauguration
Hundreds of hawkers today foiled the inauguration of the second hyper mall of the Spencer's in upmarket south Kolkata.
By PTI |
KOLKATA: Hundreds of hawkers today foiled the inauguration of the second hyper mall of the Spencer's, promoted by the RPG Enterprises, in upmarket south Kolkata, dealing a major blow to the organised retail trade in West Bengal.
All trade unions, except the CITU, supported the hawkers who even prevented RPG Enterprises vice-chairman Sanjiv Goenka from entering the swank three-storied mall located near Gariahat, a major retail hub.
The police said around 10 am hundreds of hawkers converged on the area raising slogans. They also burnt pamphlets and discount coupons.
Local councillor Debasis Kumar said the CITU-affiliated hawkers were not present in the agitation.
The general secretary of the Hawkers' Sangram Committee, Shaktiman Ghosh, told reporters that some 6,000 hawkers conducting their trade between Ballygunge railway station and Rasbehari Crossing would be affected.
"We are more concerned here because the density of hawkers is very high compared to other locations. We will allow Spencer's to open here if they refrain from selling fruits, vegetables, food articles and cheap garments," Ghosh said.
Spencer's vice-president (Marketing) S S Shekhawat said the agitation and the blockade were based on misinformation spread by vested interests. "The fact is that we will sell no product which hits hawkers' interest."
All trade unions, except the CITU, supported the hawkers who even prevented RPG Enterprises vice-chairman Sanjiv Goenka from entering the swank three-storied mall located near Gariahat, a major retail hub.
The police said around 10 am hundreds of hawkers converged on the area raising slogans. They also burnt pamphlets and discount coupons.
Local councillor Debasis Kumar said the CITU-affiliated hawkers were not present in the agitation.
The general secretary of the Hawkers' Sangram Committee, Shaktiman Ghosh, told reporters that some 6,000 hawkers conducting their trade between Ballygunge railway station and Rasbehari Crossing would be affected.
"We are more concerned here because the density of hawkers is very high compared to other locations. We will allow Spencer's to open here if they refrain from selling fruits, vegetables, food articles and cheap garments," Ghosh said.
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Spencer's vice-president (Marketing) S S Shekhawat said the agitation and the blockade were based on misinformation spread by vested interests. "The fact is that we will sell no product which hits hawkers' interest."
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