The retaliation was swift. Two days after Reliance Retail set up shop in West Bengal, and allowed Kolkata-based Keventer Fresh to sell exotic fruits from its premises, the Forward Bloc on Monday alleged that Keventer Fresh didn’t have the licence to sell agri products. But Keventer Fresh, brandishing the licence it had got, under the West Bengal Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, in 2004, said it will move court on Tuesday to pre-empt any attempt to “interfere” with its licence and rights.
Fox & Mandal, on behalf of Keventer Fresh, said its client was approaching the High Court “to prevent any acts of vandalism, harassment or other untoward incidents at its various outlets, factories and establishments”.
Keventer sources said the licence is valid till April 2010 and entitles them to carry out necessary business of purchase and sale of agricultural produce. “It has regularly paid APMC tax on a monthly basis, the last was paid and accepted on August 4, 2008, by the authorities,” said a Fox & Mandal release. Keventer had paid a tax of Rs 8,878.75 in July on a monthly turnover of Rs 8.87 lakh.
Speaking to FE, Naren Chatterjee, chairman, West Bengal State Marketing Board, and
Forward Bloc leader, said Keventer Fresh doesn’t have the licence to sell agri products from Reliance Retail premises.
Meanwhile, according to company sources, the Keventer Group had signed a contract with Reliance a couple of years ago to carry out its procuring, processing, packaging work which holds good for the entire eastern region. Last year, Reliance Retail had to stall its retail plans in West Bengal after violent protests by the Forward Bloc. The Keventer-Reliance contract, signed in December 2006, is valid for nine years and is open for renewal for 18 years subsequently. Keventer is currently selling exotic apples, kiwis, oranges and grapes sourced from Chile, China, California and Australia at these Reliance outlets. Company sources said it will also sell high-end vegetables.