Ascertain Wal-Mart's plans in Tamil Nadu, take necessary actions: DMK to TN govt

Chennai: Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam, which voted in favour of foreign direct investment in retail in Parliament, despite voicing its opposition to the measure, on Sunday asked the Tamil Nadu government to ascertain US retail chain Wal-Mart's plans in the state and take appropriate action.

The DMK president M Karunanidhi said in a statement that there is information about Wal-Mart setting up a commercial complex and a marketing office at Vanagaram on the city outskirts on a seven acres land. Karunanidhi said there is also information that Wal-Mart is approaching small grocers for enrolling them as its members with a promise of selling their products at low rates.

"If this news is true, then there might be entry of FDI in retail," he said. Karunanidhi said company officials maintain that they are not in retail trade but in wholesale trade selling to retailers.

Karunanidhi said if Wal-Mart plans to enroll small grocers as its members, then there may be entry of FDI in state.

He hoped the state government would look into the veracity of the news and take necessary action. The US retail chain has a joint venture with India's Bharti group - Bharti Wal-Mart Pvt Ltd.

The ruling AIADMK government is opposed to FDI in retail and has voted against it in parliament. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has categorically said her government will not permit FDI in retail sector in Tamil Nadu.

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