FDI debate: Oppn warns SP, BSP in Lok Sabha

Observing that successive governments had given slogans like 'Garibi Hatao', 'India Shining' or 'Aam Aadmi', Yadav said, "Not one of them favoured the farmers or the working class. Even our freedom did not provide much succour to the downtrodden."

Warning of more agitations against FDI in retail, senior CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia said while the Left has been consistent in opposing the move, the government has been "inconsistent throughout".

"The Prime Minister, as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha earlier, had written a letter opposing it. Congress leader P R Dasmunsi had termed it 'anti-national' in this very House. We have been consistent, you are not," he said.

Reminding that the government had said FDI in the pharma sector would bring international expertise and capital, he said the situation today was that "MNCs have taken over Indian companies and the prices of essential medicines have shot up."

He said the government had also brought in seed company Monsanto, saying agriculture productivity would improve. "But maximum suicides by farmers have taken place where it went and in ten years, Monsanto earned Rs 35,000-40,000 crore in profits."

Quoting American studies against Walmart and such other multi-brand retail chains, the CPI(M) leader said there would be wide variations in what the farmers would get for their produce and the price it is sold to the customer "as has happened in several countries including the US".

He asked whether FDI in retail would increase employment, bring in new technology or improve exports and asserted, "We will take this battle to the streets. Wherever you try to implement this plan, we will protest. We will not allow Walmart to come in."

Praful Patel said while BJP was opposing FDI in multi-brand retail, the NDA government led by it had furthered the liberalisation policy initiated by the Congress government in the 1990s.

... contd.

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