The Metro Cash & Carry (MCC), which will formally open its store at Kalikapur on EM Bypasss on 3rd December, has already started its operations with a daily turnover of nearly Rs 2 lakh. The company has tied up with hundreds of local registered market committees for procuring agro-products and other food items. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will inaugurate the store on December 3.

Despite huge resistance from Left Front partner Forward Bloc, the MCC has managed to run its business in the state. The premises of the store, which used to be deserted till a month ago, has transformed into a buzzing business hub with many suppliers and customers visiting the store. According to an official, the state may earn millions in revenue from the German major. “We hope that the company will bring a huge revenue for the state government through the sales tax and market fee that has been imposed on the sale and purchase of every commodity at the store,” said Mortaza Hossain, state Agricultural Marketing Minister.

The store is offering the food items at a lesser price than Burrabazzar, the largest wholesale market of the city. “Sugar is cheaper here by nearly Rs 40 per quintal than the Burrabazzar market,” Said Biswajit Mondal, a customer of the store. With the growing business at the store, the surrounding areas have also started developing.

Bhupati Midde, who used to run a small tea shop on the EM bypass near the store and earned Rs 10 to 15 per day, at present earns up to Rs 100 daily. “I get many customers throughout the day. Employees of the stores, suppliers and customers keep coming here,” he added.

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