Farmers protest over entry of foreign players

With the state government inaugurating the Metro Cash and Carry, Bengal’s farmers were joined by their counterparts from other states in a protest against the increasing domination of the organised sector.

With the state government inaugurating the Metro Cash and Carry, Bengal’s farmers were joined by their counterparts from other states in a protest against the increasing domination of the organised sector.

For most protestors, the chief fear was that the entry of such organised sectors will mean increasing market control to the extent that they would be able to determine the market price.

“Apparently they have already made a contract with 30,000 butchers, under which they will sell their meat only to Metro. Imagine the price of meat after that, because they are here to make a profit and the prices will shoot up,” said Goutam Dasgupta of Forum Against Monopolistic Aggression.

In Hooghly, after the closure of 30 factories most of those who lost their jobs became vegetable sellers, said Ambika Manna, president of Hooghly Chamber of Commerce. “But the entry of an organisation like Cash and Carry will destroy them all,” he said.

“The government is merely trying to deceive us by saying that big organisations would provide employment. A 5000-square feet mall employs only 30 people yet a phuchkawallah on the road employs at least three people to help him, so who provides more employment?” he asked.

It was not just the entry of the German wholesaler they were protesting against, but also the government policy towards MNCs.

“The Bhopal Gas tragedy took place 24 years ago, but the government has still not learnt from the mistake of allowing foreign companies into the country,” said Dasgupta.

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Apart from farmers, independent vegetable sellers from J&K, Punjab and Nepal participated in the protest. So did youths from countries like Germany and Brazil.

“This is a big problem everywhere and not merely in Bengal. This has been a big problem in Brazil and many people have already lost their livelihood, which is why we decided to share this forum,” said Julian from Brazil.

Citing the example of the GM technology, Sukhdev Singh, a participant from Bhatinda, spoke about the need to limit foreign interference in farming.

“Those genetically modified seeds are anti-nature and anti-human, yet the government insists we use them. They were used by cotton farmers and proved harmful, and now the government is trying to implement that technology in vegetables like brinjal. Imagine the effect that it will have on humans,” he said.