Have taken out 'politics' at Centre from FDI equation: Govt

despite its opposition to the policy.

In a reply to an another question on the issue, Sharma said intensive consultations with stakeholders, including traders' associations, consumers organisations, farmers'

representatives and associations, small and medium enterprises' associations and representatives and food processing industry representatives were undertaken.

"On balance, the discussions generally indicated support for the policy subject to the introduction of adequate safeguards. Taking into consideration the concerns expressed during the process of consultation, appropriate safeguards have been incorporated in the policy," he said.

He added as part of the stakeholder consultations, the matter was also taken up with the state governments.

In formulating the policy, the government was conscious of the livelihood concerns of the millions of small retailers, Sharma said.

"Informed studies of global experience have revealed that even in developing economies like China, Brazil, Argentina, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, where FDI is permitted up to 100 per cent, local retailers have found innovative ways to

co-exist along with organised retail and are integral to the organised retail chain," Sharma said.

Further, he said that opening up of FDI in multi-brand retail trade is expected to bring in much needed investments, technologies and efficiencies to unlock the true potential of the agriculture value chain.

It is also expected to bring in global best practices and benefit farmers in the long run in terms of quality, price, greater supply chain efficiencies in the agriculture

... contd.