The Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders' Association on Tuesday said that they would not support AIADMK in the coming assembly election alleging that the ruling party had not supportive to the traders during its regime. When asked if they would support the DMK, the federation's president A M Vikkiramaraja said that they were yet to take a decision on that matter.
"We have told the political parties about our demands. The decision on which party we would offer our support in this election will be decided after the parties release their election manifesto and complete their campaigning," said Vikkiramaraja. He alleged that the ruling AIAIDMK had been ignorant of the needs of the traders' community. "There is a welfare scheme for traders headed by the chief minister. This scheme is not properly implemented," said the president of the federation.
Traders also said that they had approached the state government asking for Rs50,000 compensation for small scale traders who lost their shops in the floods that hit Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Thiruvallur but there was no help from the state government.
When asked about the rule enforced by the Tamil Nadu Election Commission on not carrying more than Rs1lakh in cash, traders said the rule had troubled small scale traders. "Small scale vegetable traders and grocers are finding it difficult. They don't issue bills for the sales, so, there is no proof for the money and they carry more than Rs1lakh for purchasing stock," said Vikkiramaraja, adding that the amount should be raised to Rs3lakh.
He cited an example of a trader in Thanjavur, who was caught carrying 50 saris. "He was carrying them to a family which had a wedding in the house. The shirts were returned to him after four days," said Vikkiramaraja.
"We have told the political parties about our demands. The decision on which party we would offer our support in this election will be decided after the parties release their election manifesto and complete their campaigning," said Vikkiramaraja. He alleged that the ruling AIAIDMK had been ignorant of the needs of the traders' community. "There is a welfare scheme for traders headed by the chief minister. This scheme is not properly implemented," said the president of the federation.
Traders also said that they had approached the state government asking for Rs50,000 compensation for small scale traders who lost their shops in the floods that hit Chennai, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Thiruvallur but there was no help from the state government.
When asked about the rule enforced by the Tamil Nadu Election Commission on not carrying more than Rs1lakh in cash, traders said the rule had troubled small scale traders. "Small scale vegetable traders and grocers are finding it difficult. They don't issue bills for the sales, so, there is no proof for the money and they carry more than Rs1lakh for purchasing stock," said Vikkiramaraja, adding that the amount should be raised to Rs3lakh.
He cited an example of a trader in Thanjavur, who was caught carrying 50 saris. "He was carrying them to a family which had a wedding in the house. The shirts were returned to him after four days," said Vikkiramaraja.