Open to debate on FDI in Parliament, says Anand Sharma

Commerce & Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Thursday asked the Opposition to allow discussion on FDI in mutli-brand retail in Parliament and said he was willing to debate the issue “any time”.

However, he said a decision to allow a discussion which entails voting, as demanded by the Opposition, could be taken only by the Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Addressing a press conference here, Sharma said no states and political parties have the right to deprive the states keen on implementing the policy. “I am surprised by the twisted logic of democracy,” he added.