West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said her party may have to take some hard decisions at its meeting on Tuesday if there is no rollback of the measures announced by the Centre in the last few days — hike in diesel price, a cap on supply of domestic LPG cylinders and the decision to allow FDI in multibrand retail.
“The battle will go on as we are committed to the people,” the Trinamool Congress leader said.
In a democratic set-up, reforms must reach the poor and the common people. Reforms did not mean selling out everything to satisfy some sections, she said on Saturday, reaching out to people through the social networking platform and also by hitting the streets — for the second time this year against the Centre’s decisions.
Addressing a gathering after a two-km protest march here, Ms. Banerjee said she believed in the stability of government (at the Centre) and had put up with decisions imposed on her party. “They do as they please ... Am I supposed to be a mute spectator?” she asked, adding the Centre had to share the concerns of allies.
“We don’t want government to fall, so we tolerate a lot of things,” she said, adding the decisions made since Thursday dealt a huge blow to the people in one fell swoop.
Dismissing the option given by the Centre on FDI in multibrand retail — it is for the State governments to decide whether or not to allow FDI funded stores — Ms. Banerjee said no one was fool enough to believe that there could be alternative approaches to a single policy.
Demanding that people be given at least 24 subsided LPG cylinders (against the cap of six announced by the Centre) Ms. Banerjee said the States, and not the Centre, generated the revenues for funding subsidies.
Earlier, at the Secretariat, she responded to reporters’ queries saying, “They [the Centre, with the LPG policy] have set kitchens on fire.”
Keywords: Mamata Banerjee, FDI in retail, diesel price hike, UPA government
Yes indeed.
Dear Sir,
I lived in USA from 2004 to 2011. I saw that Walmart and all other chain stores used Chinese goods to keep prices low and their sales/profit high. In the process the whole of US manufacturing industry went totally bankrupt. Everyone became a labor working in Walmart type stores. The country now faces huge trade deficit with china. There was also recession in 2008 and slow down since till 2012. I dont want same thing happen to India. Foriegn companies want to push deep into India like EAST-INDIA company. Greedy companies know that 1 billion Indian people can buy a lot! BUT THIS WILL KILL OUR INDIAN ECONOMY INTO BANKRUPCY LIKE USA. WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO STOP THIS. Imagine India with no more Indian companies like Nirma, Dabur, Kailash, Usha-fans etc.
24 LPG cylinders?
For what?
To sell at market rates?
No family in India however large may use a cylinder every 15 days.
Fully agree with the comments above. just to add my two cents, india has been shadowed and burdened with 'policy paralysis', a testimony when TIME magazine dubbed Manmohan Singh as 'the underachiever' and the recent washington post article clearly reflect. Mamata Banerjee can surely go out on streets in her home State. But what message is she giving to the people that elected her. People voted for 'pariborton' and not status quo. Ms. Banerjee is presenting a weak, defeated and conflict oriented state government and an irresponsible ally at the UNION.
What we need is concrete policy measures. Ms. Banerjee would be prudent to suggest how is the centre to fund 24 lpg cylinders and what would the poor family do with it. When you don't have food to cook, the fire does not matter. WB has been languishing on all social indicators and agriculture productivity is plummeting. Mamata Banerjee is creating a smokescreen in Kolkata and trying to sabotage national interest. This is self defeating.
The FDI is just a maya. FDI will turn India into a dumping ground of chinese goods. Walmart has already turned US into one. Walmart banks heavily on chinese goods to beat the local ones. It'll kill the local industries. It's a foolish move. It's time the UPA is thrown out of power for all it's scams and anti-india policies
The allies of the congress and the opposition parties in India should be capable of presenting alternative models of economic growth if they oppose the incoming of FDI.FDI can act as model of increasing economic activities in any countries.No modern economy can remain static.It is to meet many new economic compulsions for the welfare of the mass people.The expansion of Primary/secondary/tertiary sectors are much for achieving economic growth.No body can dispute regarding the urgency of reforms. Indian economy can not move forward with subsidies.Earn money and spend as much as one can formula will have to replace subsidies.
India needs growth-employment to unemployed and goods and services to general public.Without economic activities,people will remain unemployed,goods and services will be unavailable. If FDI can give something worth in name, India should welcome FDI.
Yes, you should not be a mute spectator; you should be an active participant. Look at the pros and cons and make an informed decision. West Bengal is one of the most backward states due to Left policies. You have been given the chance to take the state forward, yet you are dabbling in the same policies of deficit. What will happen if 51% FDI is introduced. How will the farmers benefit? How will the infrastructure for food and perishables improve? We have traders who who hold farmers to ransom by paying well below market prices because the farmers have no choice but to get rid of perishables. What is your government doing to resolve this issue? Sure we can give 24 cylinders or 240 cylinders; but who will pay the deficit. You are in a position of responsibility. All talk with no substance.
India rising under Didi, glad to see...
Earlier the better. TMC may become part of this worst condition of
people of india that coming elections they may loose. The same thing
with all parties supporting Congress. They are sitting in a dawning
boat.
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