Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Sunday reiterated that it was left to the States to implement the Centre’s decision on foreign direct investment in multibrand retail.
“India is a Union of States therefore the implementation of the decision has been left entirely with the States. Those States that do not want to implement it, it is their decision and we respect it. Only those 10 States that had wanted it and said as much in writing have been notified. Others can join in,” he told journalists.
He was here to inaugurate ‘Kaivalam’, a three-day world crafts summit organised by the World Crafts Council.
The Centre’s move reflected the very spirit of the Constitution and it came after due consultations with all stakeholders including farmers and consumers. Most trade confederations, farmers’ unions and consumers’ unions had agreed to the move. “I would like to make it clear that consensus is not to be confused with unanimity.”