There is no truth in Mr. Anand Sharma's statement that allowing FDI in retail will usher in huge benefits and create jobs; will help build the supply chain, cold storages and benefit the farm sector; and will help in efforts to reduce wastage of fruits, vegetables and other products and tame inflation. The truth is that allowing FDI in the sector will hurt small stores, kirana shops and the hawkers and lead to massive job losses. A book by this commentator entitled, 'FDI in Multi-brand Retail Trade: A Retrograde Step' is going to be published within the next fortnight by M/s RAC Publications, Chennai. It is the outcome of deep research. The study concludes: Evidences from various parts of the world indicate that widespread emergence of big format retail super stores have led to extensive ruin of retail stores/shops thereby resulting in the loss of employment and livelihood to millions of persons involved in retail trade.

 Dr.C.Murukadas, Business Line,  Aug 9, 2012