CHENNAI, AUG 20: The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai (TNVSP) and the Tamil Nadu Consumer Products Stockists Association (TNCPSA) and other trade associations have decided to boycott Hindustan Lever Ltd's products from September 1, 1997.According to a media communication, the associations of retailers and stockists are demanding that HLL reduce the prices of its products and also that the company increase trade margins given to stockists and retailers. The retailers, in the press release, claim that the present margins were fixed 40 years ago and are no longer relevant.They also say that HLL has increased the prices of its products indiscriminately over the past years and are demanding that the prices be reduced. However, in a faxed message to The Indian Express, HLL has claimed that out of the 200 stockists it has in Tamil Nadu, over 90 per cent had individually written to the TNCPSA that they would not participate in the agitation as they were not having any problems with the company.It might be recalled that a similar movement is going on in Kerala since June 1. The Kerala associations are organising two vehicle processions from Parassala near Tamil Nadu border and Kasargod near Karnataka border from August 25, 97. These processions will then converge at Cochin on August 30, when a massive rally of traders will be held.
