Wednesday, July 9, 2025
spot_img

Tactical retreat

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

The proposal to allow FDI in the retail industry has been abandoned. But it may not be a final burial. The Left once thought that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said goodbye to the nuclear energy deal with the US and was happy. But the Prime Minister had the last laugh in the end. It is hoped that he will prevail again on the FDI in retail issue. The advantages are many. India needs organized retail. Foreign investment in retail will bring in capital, expertise and competition. All this will boost the Indian economy. The produce of farmers will fetch higher prices. The supply chain will be shorter and more efficient. As a result, the consumer will be benefited, price-wise and in getting easier access to essential goods. New investment will pour into manufacturing and more jobs will be created in the sector. Giving in to the opposition and dropping the proposal would seem unwise and pusillanimous on the part of the UPA government.

The government for its part showed regrettable vacillation. There was no unanimity on the subject even in the so called core committee which is a link between the government and the ruling Congress Party. The Congress lacks an institutionalised consultative mechanism to rope in the allies on major policy matters. Its performance in Kerala is different. There the party’s liaison committee ensures durability. The Congress at the Centre is unable to introduce cohesion in the coalition and is not confident despite its absolute majority in Parliament. Of course, finding a consensus on a populist issue is an elusive objective. Fissures in the coalition are bound to show in such cases. What is remarkable is that the Trinamul Congress with its 20-odd MPs led by its stubborn leader, Mamata Banerjee, appeared to have clinched the issue on FDI in retail. The BJP and the CPI (M) gave her unstinted applause on the sidelines.

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

HM Amit Shah shares ‘retirement plan’, pledges to take up natural farming in later years

Ahmedabad, July 9:  Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that he will take up natural farming...

Documents refute CM Banerjee’s claims of Assam govt targeting Koch-Rajbongshi voters from Bengal

Kolkata, July 9: Some documents of the Assam government have surfaced that are in direct contradiction to West...

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma unveils Durand Cup Trophies in Shillong

Shillong, July 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday unveiled the Durand Cup Trophies and flagged...

PM Modi accorded 21-gun salute during ceremonial welcome in Namibia

Windhoek, July 9:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was accorded a grand welcome, including a 21-gun salute,...