The Kerala Paint Dealers Association will hold a rights protection convention in Ernakulam, raising concerns over business policies of major paint manufacturers.

The Kerala Paint Dealers Association (AKPDA) will hold a rights protection convention in Ernakulam on Saturday (June 27), alleging that the business policies of major paint manufacturers are pushing thousands of small dealers towards financial distress.

According to the association, the paint trade supports nearly two lakh people directly and indirectly in Kerala through dealerships, allied businesses and employment. It said the sector is tax-compliant and free from illegal trade practices, but claimed that the survival of small dealers is under threat due to the policies adopted by paint companies.

K.I.Najah, state president, and P. Pradeep, secretary of AKPDA, alleged that the sector has been facing severe challenges over the past two years. Among its major concerns, the association said companies have disrupted uniform pricing through various incentive schemes, resulting in unhealthy competition among dealers and shrinking profit margins.

It also criticised frequent price revisions, claiming that products already in stock become less profitable when companies revise prices without corresponding changes in the maximum retail price (MRP), leading to losses for dealers without any benefit to consumers.

The association also alleged that manufacturers increasingly bypass dealers by directly supplying large projects, contractors, and painters, thereby reducing the role of authorised dealers in the supply chain. It claimed that dealerships are being granted without adequate norms or geographical limits, intensifying competition and placing additional financial pressure on existing businesses.

The association also expressed concern about the growing sale of low-quality paint products on online platforms, alleging that misleading advertisements deceive consumers and harm genuine dealers. It urged the government to take action against such practices.

The June 27 convention aims to formulate strategies to safeguard the livelihoods of paint dealers and ensure stronger protection for its members and their families.

Published on June 26, 2026