BJP flays opening up of retail sector

Opposing the government move to open up "branded and dedicated retail segment" to foreign brands, the BJP on Friday described it as an "ill advised move and a disastrous negotiating strategy at the World Trade Organisation ".

In a statement at the conclusion of the three-day national executive in Ranchi, the party said: "The opening of retail to foreign brands will adversely affect domestic retail traders. This is a first but a sure step towards a total opening of the retail sector".

The retail sector had just begun to grow and Indian purchasing power was the target of multinational companies, the party said.

"The Indian retail trader has been gradually expanding to benefit from this purchasing power. Expansion of domestic trade has an impact on the growing manufacturing sector, which is increasingly becoming price competitive. Any unilateral concession by India in the retail trade will adversely affect our trade negotiating strategy. This will be a disastrous strategy for multilateral trade negotiations," it said.

The party also criticised the steep rise in essential commodities' prices and said it was a betrayal of the poll promise. When the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power, inflation remained between 3.5 to 4 per cent. The increase in prices of petroleum products had had a cascading effect. A family on an average uses two gas cylinders in a month and now had to pay Rs 80 more.

It also expressed concern at the apathy of the ruling coalition towards the efficient implementation of Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the largest food security programme launched by the NDA government.