Anand Sharma counters BJP allegations on retail FDI

Countering BJP’s allegations of the government making a false promise in Parliament about a consensus with stakeholders on FDI in retail, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said on Thursday that there was no violation of the government's assurance to Parliament.

 He instead said that the UPA consulted all stakeholders on the issue before coming out with a decision on FDI in multi-brand retail.  “Both my ministry and the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs carried out intense consultations which involved all the states.

We have details, date wise, the various institutions and organizations  which were consulted that these are the stakeholders,” Sharma said, replying to the BJP allegations as well as the privilege notice.

BJP members in the Rajya Sabha have also given a breach of privilege notice against Sharma, claiming that the government had made a "false" promise on FDI in retail.