Hyderabad: Chicken retail shops across Telangana will shut from Wednesday morning as traders are escalating their protest over shrinking margins, with a statewide ‘mahadharna’ at Indira Park. The move is expected to disrupt supply as shop owners press for a revision in commissions amid rising costs.The decision was taken at a meeting of the state retail shop owners association, with traders from across districts set to participate in the protest. Association president Gaddameedi Raju said retailers are seeking an increase in margins from Rs 26 to Rs 40 per kilogram, citing a sharp rise in operational expenses. “Shop rents, electricity bills, transportation and wages have increased sharply, but our margins remain unchanged. We are facing continuous losses,” he said. Raju pointed out that labour costs have gone up significantly over the years. “Twenty years ago, salaries were around Rs 5,000. Today, we pay around Rs 20,000 per worker, with at least three workers per shop. We are struggling to sustain operations,” he claimed. The association urged the state govt and poultry firms to revise the commission structure and ensure stable pricing. Alleging that large firms are squeezing small retailers, Raju said, “The sector has become corporatised, and we are struggling to survive.” He added that the protest will continue until their demands are addressed.
