Federation of Retailer Association of India (FRAI), a representative body of about 4 crore micro, small and medium retailers from across the country with membership of 34 Retail Associations from Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western part of the country, on Tuesday appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and order a recall of the proposed 2020 amendments in the COTPA law which threaten to further attack the livelihoods of petty retailers selling tobacco and related products across India.

FRAI Madhya Pradesh Chapter on Tuesday staged a protest and has also appealed to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to save the interests and livelihoods of around 3 lakh micro retailers and their 10 lakh dependants in the state who sell multiple products to earn a meagre sum to look after their families and save them from the potential harassment.

FRAI represents the interests of the poorest of the poor in the country and raise issues which impact their employment opportunities and also render help to such people who are unable to express their views.FRAImembers sustain their livelihood by selling goods of daily needs which are demanded by general public like biscuits, soft drinks, mineral water, cigarettes, bidi, pan etc. in the neighbourhood. The profit of these micro retailers in selling these essential products works out to about Rs 15,000 per month which is barely adequate to feed two square meals a day to their family members.

The Coronavirus triggered lockdowns and economic destruction has further damaged the economic condition of small retailers and any further adverse policy which destabilizes their business activity will be devastating.