FTO in its memorandum has demanded that there should not be any Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail and wholesale markets of the state.

“No retail and wholesale major should be given licence to run their businesses in Kolkata. The licences of the existing retail majors will have to be cancelled,” said Taraknath Tribedi, general secretary, FTO.

However, the state government is yet to take any decision over the issue. “This is a sensitive issue. I cannot comment on it now. I will meet the office bearers of the FTO and discuss the issue in detail,” Bhattacharya said.

According to Tribedi, the retail and wholesale majors, along with foreign investors, are destroying the county’s economy.

“The ruling party is only looking after the interests of the big retail majors. They have forgotten the common people. Small shopkeepers and farmers are losing their employment,” Tribedi added.

In November, the organisation will organise a seminar in which all trade unions will be invited. If the government will not accept the traders’ demands then the FTO will go on an indefinite strike all over the country.