BJP opposed to the entry of FDI in retail: Joshi

Asked whether his party was for allowing Indian companies like Reliance in the retail sector, Joshi said that big capital was not needed in retail.

“If you need some sort of organised retail there should be some well drafted regulations for them,” he said. Joshi, also the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, said that the committee was studying rules and regulations for big capital coming to this sector.

The union commerce secretary has been asked to be present at the committee meeting to discuss the issue, he said.

On whether the BJP would ban FDI and big capital coming into retail if it came to power in the next Lok Sabha election, he retorted, “It is not a question of BJP coming to power.”

Questioning why should the age-old low capital system of Indian retail be destroyed, Joshi said, “If necessary, some rules can be framed for them from the health point of view”.

Joshi said the country’s food production has stagnated and in another 20 years it would reach a disastrous position.

He said the government should give a serious thought to framing policies on food, fertiliser, land and water.

“We should go for a second green revolution in the country on our own. There is no dearth of scientists, bio fuel and bio fertilisers in the country,” he said.

He said that investment in agriculture was needed in constructing cold storages, especially for vegetables.

Expressing his opposition to the export of iron ore, he said that more steel plants should be set up.

“Steel prices are going up and if we produce more steel we can bring down the price,” he said.

Joshi, a former HRD minister, also opposed hike in fees in IIMs.

Corporatisation of education was not in accordance with the Indian tradition, he said, adding that education should be made affordable.