FDI in retail will ensure farmers get higher price for produce: Anand Sharma

Talking on the coal issue, the union minister refuted that the Govt of Isndia had allotted 7 coal blocks without the consent of the state govt concerned

Taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for castigating the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's decision of FDI in retail, union minister for commerce and industry Anand Sharma on Monday charged that two crucial BJP-ruled states had given consent for the same.

“The governments in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, both ruled by the BJP, had given written consent for bring FDI in retail in the country,” Sharma told reporters here Monday afternoon.

Even the Punjab government where BJP is in alliance has advocated for FDI in the retail, he added.

The minister however admitted that many states had opposed bring foreign direct investment in the retail, others have supported it.

 

“The union government discussed the issue with states, industrial, social, traders” organization for 18 months before taking the final decision,”the minister added.

Citing a World Bank report, Sharma said only 12 to 14 per cent farmers in the country were getting the real value for their hard work.

“The FDI on retail will however ensure that they get higher price for the produce,” Sharma said, adding that the decision was taken after considering all socio-economic aspects.

Talking on the coal issue, the union minister refuted that the Government of India had allotted seven coal blocks without the consent of the state government concerned.

He said the probe into the allegation was under way.

“If anyone has to be blamed for the irregularities in the allotment of coal blocks, it is the chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh,” Sharma added.