I'm not against corporate retail, says Mayawati

About five months after her government ordered the closure of western-style food retail stores, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has said that she is not against corporate retailing and there was retail space for every one, "if planned well".

"I welcome private investment in all sectors of the economy. Corporate retailing will not be stopped," she said in an interview with the CFO Asia magazine.

She, however, asked the players willing to enter retail space to provide jobs to the people being adversely impacted by their venture.

When asked about her role in the closure of organised retail networks opened by companies like Reliance, she said: "I have not ordered their closure... There was a law and order problem with the affected people taking to the streets after these retail outlets were opened. Many lost jobs at kirana stores run by families."

The chief minister said that law and order that had deteriorated over the years was being restored and "once that is done, investors of all hues are bound to make Uttar Pradesh their home".

"If planned well, there is retail space for everybody. The corporations will have to provide jobs to people whose livelihood is adversely impacted. Over 600 million rural families in India are facing the threat of losing their livelihood owing to the unabashed opening up of the Indian market to foreign goods and services," Mayawati said.

Mayawati was quoted by the Hong Kong-based magazine as saying that three large areas had been identified in the state for special economic zones (SEZs) on the lines of a model adopted in China.

"Infrastructure development is also being done the Chinese way, with big projects as the driver. The private sector is a major focus area where private investments are encouraged in a big way," Mayawati said.

Targeting the Centre's economic policy, she said that the reform policy had made no difference to the lives of the common people. "Centre's economic reform programme is caged with large benefits intended for the capitalist coterie of this government. Unless there is a moderation in this reform programme, there is every danger of losing the people's support for economic restructuring and reforms... Economic dividends should be shared by everybody and exclude none," she added.

When asked about her own economic policy, she said that the business of doing business should be left to the entrepreneurs and the companies should be asked to adopt a policy of affirmative action as in the US.

"My government will not be in the business of doing business. It should be left to entrepreneurs whose potential remains largely untapped due to unimaginative laws governing the economy," she said.

"With prudent regulation, I propose to unleash a fresh dose of economic reforms with moderation... I expect private businesses to voluntarily provide job opportunities to those denied access to work. A policy of job reservation for the deprived lot will be put in place. Indian and foreign companies doing business and expanding project capacities must adhere to this rule," she said.

Mayawati said that Indian industry had yet to undertake corporate responsibility "like in America, where blacks have been allowed to develop skills and climb the social ladder".

"My only other expectation is that industry and service providers should be fair to their employees and consumers," she added.