No rollback on retail FDI,says Anand Sharma

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said today that the governments decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail sector will not be rolled back

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said today that the governments decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail sector will not be rolled back,adding that it will help farmers in getting a good price for their produce and create lakhs of jobs.

Addressing a group of farmers at the Congress headquarters here,Sharma said,This decision is final. This decision will not be rolled back. We are not afraid of anything. This decision is taken in the interest of farmers and consumers.

Farmers from Punjab and Haryana later met Congress president Sonia Gandhi to congratulate her on the UPA governments decision on FDI in retail sector.

Criticising Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for opposing the FDI policy,Sharma said,She cannot threaten Haryana,she cannot decide for Delhi or Rajasthan.

In their memorandum to Sonia,the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) delegation said,We have fully endorsed and supported the UPA government in opening up 51 per cent FDI in retail. Such stores should be allowed in towns having 1,00,000 population and above,rather than 1 million.

Their demands included loan waivers for farmers,linking of minimum support price to WPI,setting up of a debt relief body,acquisition of land only for public purpose at negotiated rates,and free export of agriculture produce through Pakistan to Gulf and other countries,among others.