Metro Cash & Carry fate in Kolkata hangs on Forward Bloc

KOLKATA: German wholesale giant Metro Cash & Carry has hit a political roadblock in the opening of its first outlet in Kolkata with Left Front constituent Forward Bloc resisting renewal of its APMC licence.

METRO Cash & Carry sources said the company was ready with infrastructure but the APMC (Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee) licence, which was unilaterally withdrawn in June 2007, has not been renewed.

The state government had issued the APMC licence in 2005 and renewed it twice in 2006 and 2007. The APMC licence is issued by the Agri Market Board which is controlled by Forward Bloc. Food products comprise a critical part of the company's wholesale trade.

Forward Bloc state general secretary Ashok Ghosh told PTI, "This is not an administrative issue now. It has become a political matter and a decision must be reached on a political level. We have written to Left Front chairman Biman Bose seeking a bilateral meeting with him."

He said his party was opposed to opening large stores by big business houses at the cost of small trader and farmers. Agriculture minister Naren De said, "I will look into the matter once the concerned officer resumes office on Monday."

Metro Cash & Carry has so far invested Rs 140 crore and employs 350 persons at the Kolkata store.