Shops and business establishments remained closed in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday because of a dawn-to-dusk shutdown called by traders to protest opening of Reliance Fresh outlets, police said.
All major markets, daily
haats, shopping malls and roadside shops were closed in response to the call given by Rajdhani Byabasai Jibika Bancho Samiti, police said.
Even fish and vegetable markets were closed in protest against the government's permission to Reliance Retail Limited for opening its outlets, they said.
Traders in large numbers took out a rally and assembled at Mahatma Gandhi marg amid slogan shouting to
vent their anger against the government's decision.
Sources said RRL had already opened three outlets in the city and availed permission for 30 more units.
The samiti, comprising big traders and roadside vendors, oppose entry of corporate houses in retail trade. "We are opposing Reliance as well as the idea of allowing big business houses in retail trading," said traders' leader B K Mohanty.
Traders fear they would face a hard time if big business houses open their outlets. Over 50,000 shops remained closed on Wednesday, claimed Mohanty adding a traders' delegation would meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik later.
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