Shops remain closed in city, many go hungry

KOCHI: The hartal observed on Wednesday by the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi  Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) against the foray of foreign multinational companies  into the country was total in the district. Shops across the district remained closed and only a few, which had abstained from the protests, were open. KVVES and other merchant’s organisations took out processions in various  parts of the district. The hartal was in support of the Parliament march   taken out by the merchants across the country on Wednesday against the Union Government’s move to allow Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in retail sector. “Almost 99 per cent of the shop owners co-operated with us. We did not ask any shop owner to shut the shop. All are aware of the consequences of the  FDI and their participation in our protest was voluntarily,” said Kerala  Merchants' Union district general secretary K A Shaji.Shaji also slammed the Union Government’s move to allow FDI in retail sector.    “We will go ahead with the move to create awareness among the people on the  impact of the FDI.       The public is well aware of the difficulties that the  local people and retail merchants will have to face if multinational companies like Wall-Mart open their outlet in India. We will intensify our  strike if the government goes ahead with its decision to invite foreign companies in the sector,” said Shaji.He added that the state government should initiate steps that are favourable to the retailers. Meanwhile, people who came to the city from other places were left in the lurch as most restaurants and hotels were closed. “I had an  examination duty for SSLC IT exams that began on Tuesday. I  couldn’t find a single restaurant nearby and had to work with an empty stomach till the evening,” said Arun, a high school teacher from Kolenchery.