Myth of livelihoods, fable of organised retail, and the sad parable of governance

First it was the threat of large foreign retailers who would replace small Indian ones and so: No entry to foreign retailers like Wal-Mart. Now, it’s the threat of large Indian retailers who would replace small Indian ones and so: No entry to Reliance Fresh, and Spencer. Mayawati is not the first politician to fight organised retail outlets and she’s not going to be the last. When small traders and politicians, therefore, organised themselves into armies of violence, the new chief minister predictably ordered closure of the outlets and bought time by constituting a “high level” committee. She and Mukesh Ambani await its green signal.

Opinion in The Indian Express, September 3, 2007