By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala on Saturday stated that allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector is the best policy for a country like India.
“The common people would be largely benefitted once FDI comes in,” Pala said while speaking after unveiling the memorial stone of the three Sordar of Hima Sohbar who had fought against the British regime during the early 18th century.
Criticizing those people who are trying to project the FDI in a wrong way, he said that the Congress-led UPA Government is trying to rope in FDI for the overall interest of the people of the country.
This statement of the Union Minister of State and Shillong MP has come at a time when there is stiff opposition from various corner on the decision of the State Government to allow FDI in the mining sector.
Many organisations including SOMALA and HSPDP have strongly opposed the Government’s move to incorporate provisions of the FDI in the Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012 which was passed recently by the State Cabinet.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong are giving contradicting statements on the issue of FDI.
Dr Sangma had stated that the State Government is keen to rope in FDI in the mining sector while Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Mathew Lanong contradicted the Chief Minister’s statement by denying that the Government had formulated any such plan.
Meanwhile, stressing that the farmers would be benefitted from FDI, Pala said the middle men, who are taking advantage of the poor farmers, would be totally wiped away once FDI makes its way into the country.
“The foreign companies would provide training to the farmers on how to keep their agricultural produce in cold storage so that they do not perish,” Pala said.
“With the availability of cold storage, farmers would be able to keep their agricultural produces for a longer period and sell their produces when they fetch a good price. This would ultimately allow the farmers to sell their products at their own convenience and also escape exploitation at the hands of the middle men,” Pala said.
On the occasion, the Union MoS donated Rs 5 lakh from his MPLAD Scheme to Hima Sohbar for construction of a traditional cremation ground and another Rs 2 lakh for expansion of the community hall.
