By IANS,
Guwahati : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has urged Prime Minister Manmogan Singh to implement the decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.
“I have urged the prime minister for early implementation of this policy,” Gogoi told reporters in Delhi Wednesday. He said the move would help bring foreign investments, technologies and efficiencies in the country.
The Congress-led United Progress Alliance (UPA) government last year put on hold the decision to allow 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail following strong opposition from some quarters, including allies like the Trinamool Congress.
Naming Trinamool chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamama Banerjee, Gogoi said crucial policy decisions like FDI in multi-brand retail should not be held hostage to opposition by some state governments.
“Mamata does not want to implement FDI, it’s her decision but she cannot infringe upon my right as a state chief minister who wants FDI,” he said.
“Some states are opposing this, let them oppose. But those states, who want, should not be deprived of this decision as it will help in improving agri-economy. We hope that the central government will take early decision on this,” he said.
Gogoi said: “This decision holds significance in unlocking the true potential of our agrarian economy as, in the absence of adequate logistics and infrastructure, a larger part of farm produce never reaches the market.”