Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday flayed the Centre’s decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and called for withdrawal of the move which was “totally undemocratic and against people’s interest.”
Noting that the Centre’s decision to leave the States to decide whether they want to opt for FDI or not would create confusion, administrative problems and uncertainty and cripple the growth of the economy, Ms. Jayalalithaa said that the State government “will never allow FDI in retail trade in Tamil Nadu.”
Hitting out at the UPA government in a strongly-worded statement, Ms. Jayalalithaa said: “The UPA government has been making blunder after blunder by adopting many anti-people policies and this latest decision will only add up to one more such serious blunder committed by the Central government which seems to be totally unmindful of the interests of the common people.”
Coming in the wake of the rude shock in the form of diesel price hike, the entry of FDI in multi-brand retail would only increase the woes of people and local traders, the Chief Minister said, “This is an ill-advised move of the Government of India and I reiterate my opposition to this unfortunate and untimely decision.”
According to Ms. Jayalalithaa, the UPA government was always in the habit of diverting the attention of people from main issues by confusing them with such policies. “As I have earlier stated, FDI in retail is neither going to bring down the prices nor improve the investment climate,” she said.
DMK stand
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi said that the move would result in fierce competition for domestic traders.
Stating that his party had already opposed the move in the past, Mr. Karunanidhi told reporters that there was no compulsion for the State to accept operationalisation of 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail as the Union government had left the decision to the choice of States.
Asked whether he concurred with the Union government’s policy decision in view of his party’s opposition in the past, Mr. Karunanidhi replied that the willing States could implement it.
all states must implement this policy ,to get more organised. I hail
from a taluk called pattukkotai where the traders place the decayed
vegetables in the road. this will not be the case if there is big
players.
from an NRI view, i wonder how brands like Walmart, Carrefour, MediaMart would help Indian farmers. Unless tied down by stringent laws, none of these retailers are going to invest on storage facilities. further, i do not believe that Walmart will create platforms where they will directly buy from indian farmers and pay the right prices. It is illogical to think that any FDI will come to india for the sheer love of Indian farmers. Middle men will continue to stay and they are the ones who ultimately benefit. definitely not the poor farmer.
To Navakoti: The British did not swindle the country. If you study the development history of India you will learn that the British gave India a lot more than they took away. It was a net gain for India.
The country was considered as a single unit for allowing FDI as per
the investments’ treaty signed by India with 82 countries. Centre’s
statement that the States had the freedom to decide on whether to
allow FDI is not valid at all. They are just fooling the
states.....STOP FDI IN RETAIL at any cost.
The UPA Government has been making blunder after blunder by adopting
many anti-people policies and this latest decision will only add up to
one more such serious blunder committed by the Central Government,
which seems to be totally unmindful of the interests of the common
people.
Koodankulam Included madam......why you suddenly supported the Central
Govt on Nuclear Reactor is a mystery to all of us.....Pls reconsider
and tell you dont want Nuclear Reactor on Tamilnadu coasts. That is
the best you can do to save the Tamil Race.....i mean the Adi Dravida
race.....
Love humanity, love flora and fauna...........say no to nuclear
energy, no to FDI, We need statesman kind of leadership.
FDI is well in deed necessary for hailing economy, this will definitely
check for quality, employment and best practices across the segment.
our CM doesn't like the decision of "FDI on the wish of the concern state"... it makes the CM responsible for allowing or not allowing the FDI in TN. she cant play the old game of "blaming the centre", if the people got upset if FDI allowed.
our CM must grow up and take responsibility at least for the sake of the people and the traders.
Protectionist attitude is not always healthy as it limits choice to the public. Opening up markets to improve competition will also help improve the quality of local manufacturing and production.
There has to be a balance and if adequate controls are in place and monitored then it will be a 'win win' situation for the public. Otherwise shoddy services are what they will get.
Nice Statement 'Chief MInister'!!
If we need to improve infrastructure of tamilnadu, I think there is no
better solution than implementing 51% FDI in Retail. If we are really
concerned about the Local competition, then also we should go for 51%
FDI atleast for first 10 years. Since this time duration will allow us
to learn the Business Process and infrastructure need.
Hope the readers would have read Hindu article - rotten meat transferred to Chennai. If this is the local condition of Food
Industry, then it is better to go for 51% FDI, where the common man is
in good ground.
you need FDI in automobiles, information & communication, textiles & education. We always give importance/priority to Made in Japan,
Made in USA. Do we ever ask for Made in India products. See the
crowd in KFCs & Mc.Donald and Pizzas outlets. Then, Why oppose FDI
retail just because it is introduced by the UPA Govt.
The decision is ill timed and will certainly destroy our retail trade sector. Once these retail gains comes to the business yes they will certainly sell the commodities in a much lower price but once all the pretty traders are forced to go out of the trade the people at large will be at the mercy of these MNC'S. This will lead to formation of illegal cartels and monopoly in the sector.
FDI retail is a measure to bring participation to take this country
on par with developed western nations from the present deplorable
stage. Moreover, this FDI retail introduced now is also from a duly & democratically elected Govt.functioning @ federal level.
Opposing anything introduced for the benefit of country without thinking the pros & cons, also without knowing the economy of
the country truly demonstrates their mindset for their personal narrow ends. How many peoples views were taken in TN. FDI retail
is for the people, for the country to bring more competition,production and quality. There is no correct reason
to oppose this tooth & nail. Opposing this can be considered equivalent to opposing the Kudankulam Atomic power by the vested
interests.
Jayalalitha's stand is unreasonable, this is something like Koodankulam power project, we desperately need foreign players in this sector to create more jobs and more quality products
The problem we have is that people in authority do not have the sophistication to
analyse, review pros and cons and make sound economic decisions. The opposition
parties want to oppose for the sake of opposing; the alliance parties want to enjoy
the support of ruling party but enjoy whatever is popular rhetoric at that time. The
CM should explain what 51% FDI would do to the supply chain, the farmers and
people who actually do the work. We have more traders than people who produce
because it is easier to make money with less risk.
In the name of trade the British swindled the the country. Now it is the time for the politicians to repeat the same under FDI investment. Where is the patriotism and self pride?
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister will keep giving pin pricks to the Centre - opposing everything for the sake of opposing.
She was against the Kudankulam Project initially - just to make things difficult for the Centre and did a U turn and has become a strong supporter for the Plant.
Wouldn't be surprised if she does a somersault on the FDI Investment too.
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