Keep grains off retail, Buddha tells Reliance

“DON’T touch foodgrains.” This is rule no: 1 for the Mukesh Ambaniowned Reliance Group which has ambitious plans to spread its retail footprint across West Bengal. The state government has also spelt out categorically that Reliance’s retail initiative should in no way unsettle the lives of small shopkeepers and vendors. Even as West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee tries to persuade his more difficult cabinet colleagues and other constituents of the ruling Left Front, the rules of the game are being laid down for Reliance’s entry into West Bengal. “We have told Reliance not to touch foodgrains. However, we don’t want to stop them. How can we? Spencers, Pantaloons, all have set up shops. Why should we stop Reliance?” Mr Bhattacharjee told ETon Thursday. The Reliance Group had originally sought around 1,700 acres from the state government to run their businesses. Later, they scaled down their demand to 1,000 acres. Their plan is to roll out a state-wide agri-retail chain that will comprise 5 distribution-cum-procurement hubs and 80-odd rural business hubs. Such outlets are supposed to come up in different districts like East Midnapore, Malda, Howrah, Burdwan and Darjeeling. Reliance Retail has since submitted a scaled-down plan.