印度贸易商罢工抗议零售改革政策

Traders in India are observing a day-long strike in protest at the decision by the government to open the retail market to global supermarket chains.

印度政府决定向全球连锁超市开放国内零售市场，贸易商遂组织为期一天的罢工抗议活动。

Most of the main markets in Delhi were shut although the national picture is not fully clear.

Traders say that the move to allow 51% foreign ownership of multi-brand stores will damage small retailers.

Opposition parties have demanded the move be scrapped. The government says it will benefit farmers and consumers.

'Nightmare'

Thursday's strike has been called by the Confederation of All India Traders.

A senior official of the group, Praveen Khandelwal, said more than 10,000 trade organisations across India were expected to participate in the strike.

With the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporting the strike, wholesale（批发） and retail markets in Delhi were among those most affected.

The BJP organised marches and the burning of effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in about 20 locations.

More than 6,000 traders were said to be observing the strike in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Khandelwal said the government's move would be a "nightmare" for small retailers.

He said: "The foreign retailers can open in big cities, but they will source from markets across rural India and small towns. With their money and power, over time they can corner the supply of produce and dominate the outsourcing side."

Parliament has become paralysed over the issue, with forced adjournments（休会，延期） almost daily.

Opposition politicians say they will not allow parliament to function until the government rescinds the retail decision.

Although the decision on retail reform is an executive one that requires no parliamentary approval, opponents of the move have been pushing for an "adjournment motion" in parliament, which would spark a debate and vote on the issue.

There is growing anger in India over the paralysis that has gripped parliament since Congress came to power in 2009.

The independent PRS Legislative Research body, quoted by Reuters, says of 200 bills planned only 57 have been passed.

In an editorial, the Times of India wrote: "The purpose of parliamentary democracy is to provide a forum for reasoned deliberation. By wrecking this very platform, MPs can neither resolve contentious issues nor do their jobs as lawmakers."

The government insists its retail reform will create tens of millions of jobs.

Allowing 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail stores will open up opportunities for groups such as Tesco and Wal-Mart to open stores in India.

Such operators can currently only sell wholesale in India and not directly to customers.