FDI in retail really a reason to worry

Mr. Shourie is one of the ardent supporters of neo-liberalism. It was only during his Ministership in NDA, many public sector units were handed over to capitalists for a pittance thereby causing huge loss to the  country and causing large-scale unemployment. Although he is quite aware that FDI in retail will not bring any benefit to the people and  enable the multinational retail giants to loot Indian people, he is telling that FDI in retail not a reason to worry. It seems that he has been bought by the lobbyists of multinational retail giants. It is also quite intriguing to note that he has supported the Centre’s decision to increase diesel prices by five rupees. It seems he is mocking at the sentiments of the people. By doing so he has turned a blind eye  to  the opposition to FDI  for he is quite aware that   all the opposition parties  and some of the allays of the UPA II  declared an all India bandh on September 20, 2012 against 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail trade, besides against hike in diesel price and cap on  LPG cylinders at 6 per annum. The bandh evoked unprecedentedly huge response all over the country and in many states normal life was paralised.  The traders also called for an all India bandh on September 20, 2012, which receieved overwhelming support of all categories of retail traders and almost all shops from Kanyakumari to Kashmir remained closed on 20 September 2012 due to the traders’ bandh. The traders have gone to the extent of stating that they are even prepared to sacrifice their life for the cause of preventing 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail trade.

Dr.C.Murukadas, The Hindu, Sep 22, 2012.