Government in no mood of rollback; notifies FDI in retail

21 Sep 2012 Evaluate

Braving the intense political opposition and a nationwide bandh called by the opposition parties and some of its allies, the government showed its hard stand and notified the decisions taken last Friday, related to FDI in retail and aviation sectors and permitting greater foreign investment in some sections of the broadcasting sector. These notifications have given effect to the decisions taken by the Cabinet, putting an end to speculation about a possible roll back of its decisions.

Earlier, the government amid widespread protests from within and outside decided to allow 51 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, 100 per cent FDI in single-brand retail and 49 per cent FDI each in the civil aviation and power sectors.

After the most contentious 51% FDI in multi-brand retailing getting notification, multinational retailers such as Walmart and Carrefour can invest up to 51 per cent to open stores in 10 states and UTs which, till date, have agreed to implement the decision, as the decision comes with an enabling clause asserting that State governments/Union Territories would be free to take their own decisions in regard to implementation of the policy and is subject to the concerned State government’s approval. The policy further prohibits retail trading through e-commerce by companies with FDI engaged in multibrand retailing.

The governments’ decision has evoked angry reactions from some of its outside supporters and an ally, Trinamool Congressm, which is going to quit the UPA government. Now Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to explain the nation about the reasons behind the step and the benefits it would entail, he may cite the difficult times facing the economy and may put government's stand that the step was aimed at pushing economic growth and generating employment.

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