Released on = August 30, 2007, 3:31 am

Press Release Author = newage

Industry = Retail

Press Release Summary = In a rare demonstration in favour of the new supermarkets,
the farmers shouted \"Reopen Reliance\"\' and \"Long live farmers unity\".

Press Release Body = Hundreds of farmers gathered on Tuesday by an agricultural
collection depot run by a top national retailer to call for India\'s most populous
state to reopen Western-style supermarkets closed last week.

Citing law and order problems, Uttar Pradesh state closed 10 new Reliance
supermarkets last week after protests from small traders who say efforts to
modernize a $350 billion fragmented retail sector would hurt millions working in
\"mom and pop\" shops.

That closure snowballed, with Reliance Industries Ltd, India\'s biggest private
company, putting on hold the opening of hundreds of air-conditioned supermarkets
across northern and eastern India.

In a rare demonstration in favour of the new supermarkets, the farmers shouted
\"Reopen Reliance\"\' and \"Long live farmers unity\". They also chanted \"Down with
Mayawati\", the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

The protests highlighted the fault lines in rapidly globalising India, where
millions feel they are being left out of a booming economy that is perceived as only
benefiting wealthy consumers.

Others say India\'s modernization is being put on hold by interest groups and
politicians wary of losing jobs and votes.

\"It seems there is some other politics behind this abrupt decision which is
certainly not in the interest of farmers,\" said farm leader Ram Chandra Verma.

The Reliance centre buys up farm produce from local farmers. For many farmers it
saves them money because they no longer have to go through traditional middlemen to
sell their goods.

Farmers\' organizations say they will hold a bigger demonstration in the state
capital in the next few days.

Large retail companies account for only three percent of India\'s $350 billion retail
market, which analysts estimate could double by 2015.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. , the world\'s biggest retailer, also faced protests when
officials came to India for a deal with Bharti Enterprises.


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