Medicine stores also to remain closed
Retail businesses will down their shutters in the State on Friday with traders deciding to join the nationwide protest against the Centre’s decision to allow 100-per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector.
In view of the protests by retail shops, malgodowns will remain closed.
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Odisha chapter president Sudhakar Panda said that around 6.35 crore retailers across the country including Odisha would join the strike to protest against the Centre’s decision to allow FDI in the Indian market.
The retailers 12 demands include rollback of the permission for FDI in the retail sector.
A memorandum would be sent for the reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Panda said.
In another development, pharmacists will also shut down their business on the day in view of the nationwide day-long cease work stir called against the Centre’s decision to allow operation of e-pharmacies.
Around 22,000 medicine shops across the State will remain closed due to the strike. However, chemist shops present inside medical colleges and Government hospitals will remain open.
“The bandh is being called to ensure safety of the people because approval to e-pharmacy is a blunder as it questions the genuineness of the medicines through online,” said Utkal Chemist and Druggist Association president P Satyanaryan.