In a virtual replay of the brinkmanship following Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's determination to push the India-U.S. nuclear deal through in UPA-I, the government looked set for a similar war of nerves with the Opposition. Even as the principal opposition party, the BJP, refused late on Wednesday night to dilute the wording of the adjournment motion, and drop the demand in it to roll back the FDI decision, the UPA government remained resolute on permitting FDI in the multi-brand retail sector.
This came at the end of a day during which the Congress' top leadership examined various options on how to break the parliamentary deadlock so that it could push the Lokpal Bill through in the current session.
The party's focus was on persuading the Opposition to soften the wording of the adjournment motion (which mandates voting) and on securing the support of its allies, especially the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK). For, if the adjournment motion is carried, the UPA government would stand censured, and its continuance might even become untenable.
Of its two major allies, the DMK has agreed to back the government, but the TMC is holding firm: senior Trinamool Congress sources told The Hindu: “Our stand has been made amply clear by Ms. Mamata Bannerjee, and there is to be no dilution in letter or spirit.” These sources stressed that since the party had opposed the decision in the Cabinet, its voters would judge the party by how it voted in the House on the issue, not on what it said inside or outside.
The Congress Core Group, of which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram and A.K. Antony, and Ms. Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel are members, met twice, first shortly after noon, and then again in the evening. Both meetings discussed the pros and cons of the situation but failed to make any progress at all. At the evening meeting, two special invitees — Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid and chairman of the Standing Committee attached to the Ministry of Personnel Abhishek Singhvi — briefed the Core Group on the progress on the Lokpal Bill. (On Wednesday, the Standing Committee completed its deliberations on the Lokpal Bill.)
Meanwhile, despite voices of dissent in its own ranks, the Congress stood firmly behind the government: “The PM has made it clear that it is a well thought-out decision,” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, stressing, “and the party supports it.”
Comments:
It looks like the dissent is not within the Congress, but with the BJP.Since the PM has the firm backing of his party.I'm not even sure if the Congress should be reaching out to the BJP in the manner that it does, considering that the BJP has made up its mind to oppose everything,and use every possible option to destabilize the goverment. The irony is that once FDI is allowed in, Narendra Modi may have the first Walmart inaugurated in Gujuarat.Its sad that the press dosent highlight this hypocrisy.
Do we want freedom from the clutches of greedy money making foreign
investment? Let us take the example of Soft drinks in India. Before
the arrival of Coco-Cola, Pepsi, 7 Up etc we had millions of colour
sodas, ordinary sodas served through cycling? They all disapeared. But
our PM can claim many are employed and the quality is better. In the
beginning Soft drinks were very cheap. Once the millions of Cycle
valas are wiped out, the MNCs of Soft Drinks raised the prices of Soft
drinks. Ground water was exploited.THe same will happen concerning the
FDI in Retails. In the beginning the customers will be very happy that
MNCS shops will be cheaper. Once all the Indian Retailers are wiped
out, MNCs will start raising the price. Is there any control over the
price rise that is going on in this Country? Is there a Government in
this Country because every thing is Privatised. This is the vicious
circle in which we are. STOP THIS.Thomas Kocherry, thomasksa@gmail.com
Mr.singh, madam Sonia and other illustrious core group members please realize that our
country's priority is not fdi retail, there are 100 s of thing which are the need of the hour. Your
govt failed in all fronts and still mr. Sing , you are to not prepared to learn lesson and take
corrective steps, on other hand you continue to take all possible steps and totally destroy
us. Are you happy now.
DMK's decision to support the move hardly comes as a surprise.On the
contrary,the party would be rubbing its collective hands in glee at
this serendipitous opportunity to prove its relevance to the Congress
both at the Center and State levels, particularly if the proceedings
culminate in a repeat of the Nuclear Bill vote. The fact that its
leader had condemned the move are shamelessly buried in the
arithmetical calculations of the benefits to be reaped. Besides,the
party has nothing to lose, having lost everything in the State
Elections.This is the straw which the party has to clutch till 2014.
The origin of the word "politics" is from a Greek word meaning "of, for, or relating to citizens". It is defined as "the art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation". Politics can be considered as "the methods or tactics involved in managing a state or government". Dr. Manmohan Singh thinks that theoretical economics in a capitalist mould is all that matters in governance and that is his politics. This is applauded by the media and the capitalists.The ordinary citizens of the country are not doing so and they may, to use an expression much in vogue in the media, hit back.
What is the opposition up to and what do they want? Its very clear
they are taking this as an opportunity to test the muscle powers, at
the cost of national interest. A decesion has been made by the
elected Government,the opposition may have different views, if it
really carries any value then they should sit with the Government and
discuss their views and fears, not threatening the elected
Government. Why they don't want a discussion but demand a total roll
over? It has been made very clear allowing them rests on the
respective State policy,don't allow them in your states, if you want
to deprive the general public of the benefits.Its very clear the
opposition has adopted to a ugly political game, where national
interest has no value.Shame on you, selfish, irresponsible foolish
Politicians of my country, please sit with the Government and discuss
the pros and cons,We the citizens have the right to know why you
oppose and why the govt. wants it.
The long term effects on the economy of FDI in retail has to be seen. The small vendors will disappear and large companies will take over. But another thing to be seen is the shopping experience. I most often go to small vendors but all these "good" people give me is mix of rotten things along with some fresh. In a big mall i can choose what i want while in a small vendor shop, the choice is with that fellow. I dont know what the real long term effects are. But surely i will get fresh vegetables without quarelling.
FDI being a sore issue should be postponed by the govt, in order to discuss other important and urgent matters. Such issues require very thorough assessment by professionals. For that some committee can be made. Meantime most important issue which need to be discussed and brought is Jan LOkPal Bill. It is very important for country's progress. Survival and developmant of country is based on this, and govt doesn't seam to be keen to bring it.
The large players procure the produce from the farmers(for ex:
Onion@Rs 10/Kilo from the market in huge quantities, then they grade
the onions like A, B, C and D based on some quality parameters. While
retaining the highly graded onions they give back the rotten ones or
low graded onions back to the market at the rate of Rs8/Kilo.
The small players will not be able to compete with these big players
in procuring and forced to sell whatever that was given to them
This way the big players create an aversion towards the Kirana shop
and increase their sale.
Its Better for the Govt to think 1000 times before implementing any.
Because after the CWG scam , 2G spectrum scam , Inflation & emergence of lokpal issue , common man of INDIA are aware of each & every steps of govt.Because your past history says you have done enough politics . Atleast now do something for those , who really suffers in the so called "Developing Nation".Atleast this is the high time when you should focus on the promise done to the normal citizen , radr than filling Pockets.
By d way opposition party members dont make an issue of everything.
You say your govt will bring a country where there will be ample opportunity for the proletariat sections of INDIA. But you always do stupid things creating problms for the poor section. when ever you are being asked to justify your own questions ,you all just sit silent.
So its a humble request for the ruling as well as opposition party plz plz plz think of the common people in INDIA not for the richer sections like you all.
If a foreign company like walmart come to India and set up retail markets for making profits as well as selling at lower prices ....can't we buy their 'techinical know how ?' or their 'bussiness model' and implement by our own in India.A Public sector under taking may be formed to implement in an effective manner.Why should our revenue cross borders. It is correctly said in most of the comments above FDI in retail sector especially in food market, farmers as well as consumers will be exploited in a long term