Ministry not part of FDI proposal, says Pawar

Union Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Pawar has expressed displeasure over a draft discussion paper released by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) on foreign investment in multi-brand retail, keeping his ministry in the dark.

At the sidelines of his felicitation for becoming the ICC president here on Wednesday night, Pawar said he was surprised to see the discussion paper in the press.

“Consumer affairs ministry is the ministry concerned looking into the retail sector. But my ministry was not involved in the discussion paper,” Pawar told Business Standard.

Ministry sources, however, said the decision with regard to FDI in multi retail needs to be taken after a series of consultations. Sources said the ministry plans to hold regional as well as national seminars on FDI in multi brand retail.

“During the proposed seminars the ministry will have debate over recommendations of various parliamentary committees on this issue. Besides, the ministry would seek views on the central legislation along the lines of Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act for FDI in multi brand retail.