By IANS,
Panaji : Former army chief Gen V.K. Singh Tuesday trained his guns on FDI in the retail sector, calling it a “curse for farmers”. He also blamed economic policies for the rise of Maoism.
Delivering a lecture, Singh said national security was not just linked to external aggression but to corruption and conflict within the country as well.
“Walmart has been booted from New York and in Los Angeles people are agitating against it. If FDI is allowed, foreign companies will buy goods at cheap rates from farmers and sell it at markedly high prices to the public. This will amount to loot across the board,” said the general.
Commenting on national security, Singh said that the issue had both foreign as well as internal elements.
“National security has to be seen in the broader context. It is not just about our relationship with neighbouring countries but also within. Corruption is a threat to national security,” he said.
Singh also blamed economic polices which are not people-oriented were to blame for the growth of Maoism in India.
“The high command comes up with some policy and it is imposed on the people. The spread of Naxalism is because the difference between the poor and the rich is increasing,” he said.