Decision on FDI taken by consensus, says Anand Sharma

 It is an open secret that the  decision to allow FDI in mult-ibrand  retail trade was taken  due to powerful lobbying by Walmart and other multinational retail giants and pressure from their home governments, particularly the US and European Union.  Reports show that extraneous considerations have played a dominant role for taking the erroneous decision to allow 51% FDI in multi-brand retail trade despite strong opposition from all quarters. Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Anand Sharma has  been making misleading and false statements on FDI in mult-ibrand retail.  His view of consensus is irrational and absurd. Consensus means that an overwhelming majority agree to a particular idea or measure. In the case of FDI, only a small section has expressed agreement with the decision to allow FDI in mult-ibrand retail, that too under persuasion and threat.  FDI in multi-brand retail trade has been notified much against the sentiments and wishes of almost the entire spectrum of political parties, trading community, farming society, and, of course, an overwhelming majority of the citizen of the country. Mrs. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, has alleged that the FDI decision was unveiled only to divert attention from the “coalgate” scandal involving the government. Moreover, many experts have questioned the perceived benefits of the so called “reforms,” particularly 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail trade. The general consensus is that no point in pressing for a change in policy measures (or conveniently termed as reform) that evokes strong condemnation and disapproval from all sections--political parties, traders’ bodies, farmers’ associations, experts and the public in general. Anand Sharma and the other votaries of FDI in multi-brand retail trade know very well that it will do more harm than benefit to the people. Then, why is this hypocrisy?

 Dr.C.Murukadas, India Today, Oct. 7,2012