'Govt ready to face any challenge on FDI'

"(But) here is a decision which is in executive domain which requires no legislative approval. In the history of Indian parliamentary democracy, an executive decision has never been dragged into Parliament motions."

At the same time, the Minister asserted, "the government is confident" of demonstrating its majority in Parliament and "facing any challenge and continuing with its good work."

To questions over whether timing of FDI decision was right, Sharma shot back, saying he was surprised over such queries.

"Are we not the same government which has been unfairly targeted for not taking decisions? An atmosphere was created that decisions were delayed, decisions got trapped in controversies and one cliche was commonly used – policy paralysis. So when you take decisions, timing is questioned. When you are deliberating on a decision, you are called indecisive," the Commerce Minister said.

He asserted that the government had taken the decision on allowing FDI in multi-brand retail in a "considered manner" looking at the interest of farmers and jobs and after thorough consultations spread over two years with stake-holders like farmers, consumers and all the states.

"We have government that is confident, strong and stable and committed to carrying forward with those major initiatives which are in supreme national interest," Sharma underlined.

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