Dangerous to allow FDI in retail: Murli Manohar Joshi

Besides it would have an adverse bearing on agriculture as it would end the economic autonomy of farmers who would be left at the mercy of multi-national companies, Joshi told reporters here.

He said allowing FDI in retail would facilitate multi-national companies to force closure of traders in retail.

The retail trade was the most dependable sector for creation of jobs after agriculture and India had the largest retail trade network in the world, Joshi, who is on a three-day visit to Bihar, said.

He also alleged that the Indian economy was deterioratiing because of faulty policies, while production was on the decline and the Indian currency devalued beause of the economic policy adopted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He claimed that the Prime Minister's statement that the base of Indian economy was very strong was not dependable.

"PM's statement that the Indian economy is very very strong is not dependable at all," Joshi said.