2 weeks Ago By TOI News Desk
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi turned grocery shopkeeper for a few hours as he visited a store in Delhi to understand their hardships. "Recently I visited a grocery store in Delhi. Grocery stores are not just a medium to sell goods.
They have emotional and cultural connections with their customers, but due to the rapid growth of quick commerce business, thousands of grocery stores are closing down, which is a matter of concern," Rahul said on Tuesday, sharing a video of his visit. He also took a first hand experience at of being a shopkeeper as he went on sit behind the counter and cater to the customers. Rahul was seen interacting with the store owners and discussing the issues.
"The ones who can spend more sell at a lower price and eat our margins. They create a monopoly," one of the members of the family-run grocery store said. The shop owners expressed discontentment over GST rates and said that they were paying "four times the tax since VAT".
"We need to find a balance – a system that encourages technology and innovation but also provides a safety net for those most severely impacted by them," the leader of opposition said in the post. "As our economy changes and we move ahead in line with global trends, it is important to ensure that small businesses do not suffer. If you have a suggestion or a story you'd like to share with us, please send it here," he added.
This comes as a part of the Congress leader's initiative to directly interact with the scattered but large economic groups that do not have a representation. He had also interacted with the labourers, gig workers, house painters, pottery artists among others. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India .
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