Shops, restaurants and pharmacies across Kerala will down shutters for one-day on October 3 in protest against Centre and State government policies, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi brand retail sectors in the country. Talking to reporters here Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithy (KVVES) President T Nazirudheen said they were compelled to go on the dawn-to-dusk token strike to protest the Centre’s decision to allow FDI which would jeopardize the sector. He said though Kerala government has decided not to implement the decision in the State, the KVVES wanted the Centre to roll back it. The Centre which rolled out a red carpet for foreign players should take urgent steps to protect the interests of 10 lakh traders and five million workers employed by them in the State, he said. The agitation was also against arbitrary action taken by Safe Food Officers, who ordered closure of many shops violating norms, he added.
—UNI