C'garh Assembly passes resolution against FDI in retail

State Agriculture Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu, who tabled the resolution, said FDI in retail will have adverse impact on at least four crore retailers, and some 25 crore people associated with it indirectly.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said the economy of the country is largely dependent upon cottage and small-scale industries and permitting FDI in retail would impact them as well as the farmers.

But Opposition Congress said there was no need for this resolution when the Centre had allowed the state governments to take their own decision on FDI in retail.

Leader of Opposition Ravindra Choubey said foreign players would be able to enter only the cities with a population of more than 10 lakh; as such only the state capital Raipur would qualify for it.

FDI in multi-brand retail would affect only 2-3 per cent population in the country, he added.

After three hours of debate, the resolution was passed.