Bharat bandh caused economic losses: Government

Criticising the nationwide agitation against FDI reforms, the government today blamed the parties behind the protest for causing economic losses and made it clear that there will be no backtracking on the reforms as the country needs "massive" growth.

Senior Ministers maintained that there was no threat to the stability of the government even if Trinamool Congress quits tomorrow and hinted at scouting for new allies.

They insisted that the strike organised by eight non-UPA parties as well as NDA has had no impact except for causing economic losses.

"The net effect of this strike is greater economic loss. When you protest, you should not protest in a manner that causes economic losses," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that while limited protest was alright, it should not be to an extent that "cause harm" to the interest of people.

Making it clear that government would not go back on FDI in retail decision, Law Minister Salman Khurshid said, "we have tried to bring reforms with a human face. Please don't ask whether we are going to change the human face. The human face remains."

He said the government was pushing reforms to give "massive" economic growth to the country and "if opposition slows down that, we won't get it by what they have done today."

On the strike, he said the parties have "given their point of view, they have shown their protest, now let us go back to our factories, get back to our shops, get back to our schools and get back to our work."

On the stability aspect, he said, "we had enough friends today, we had enough friends yesterday... so I don't know why you should doubt our stability."

Asked whether the government would look for new allies, Chidambaram said, "if we can acquire new friends, why would we not acquire new friends?"

... contd.

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue

Coalgate probe: No accused or suspect let off, says CBI chief Ranjit Sinha