Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Tuesday reacted strongly against Delhi Government’s decision of disallowing international chains to open multi-brand retail stores in the Capital.
“One thing I am quite clear is that once a policy has been notified through a due process, there cannot be such departures,” said Sharma.
“I also have one thing to say and here is a word of caution: If you have populism which misinforms and pushes society to anarchy, it does not bode well for Indian democracy,” he added. The Minister also rejected Kejriwal’s contention. He is of the view that foreign retailers will help increase job opportunities not only in shops, but also in the supply chain.
The policy will help create better infrastructure too. In a major policy reversal, the AAP Government wrote to the Centre to withdraw the approval given by the previous Sheila Dikshit Government for FDI in multi-brand retailing in Delhi, saying the entry of global chains such as Walmart and Tesco in India would result in large-scale job losses.
Sharma, however, said the Centre had formulated the policy after wide consultations with all stakeholders, including farmers’ unions, MSMEs and State Governments.
“The question is whether the farmers, consumers and small entrepreneurs are part of the lexicon of Aam Aadmi or are excluded. The view that it may lead to job losses has neither any merit nor any logic,” he added. Sharma said the communication received by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry does not give any reasons for the withdrawal of the policy.