Bengaluru: Thousands of petty shop owners, under the banner of Karnataka Rajya Sanna Beedi, Cigarette Maratagaarara Sangha, took out a rally from Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station to Freedom Park in support of their demands.
They staged protest against the state government’s order banning the sale of loose cigarettes, beedis and chewing tobacco products.
Speaking on the occasion, H Munirama, Secretary, Karnataka Rajya Sanna Beedi Cigarette Maratagara Sangha, said, “In a democracy, everyone should have a right to representation, before giving verdicts which may have a life-defining impact on them. It is unfortunate, that the Health Ministry has not consulted the petty retailers, nor taken their interests in mind before writing such a letter.’’
He said that most of the petty shop owners have been following the norm of not to sell tobacco products to minors. “We are all aware of this law and have put up boards prominently in our shops in compliance with current regulations. We fear that the present suggestion is a result of lobbying by multinationals who are out to destroy local traders. We appeal that reason for such a communication must be investigated. If this is not withdrawn, we demand the Government to permanent Government jobs to us and our family members so that we can manage to meet our two ends,” he said.
The agitators wanted Prime Minister to intervene in the matter. “In the event such an unreasonable, arbitrary and illegal proposal is not withdrawn the Prime Minister should instruct that government jobs must be provided to all of us, as the repercussions of the same on the poor and the defenseless will be humongous. Needless to say, such a proposal also has the potential to completely destabilize the whole trade channel,’’ he said.
