FDI Debate in Lok Sabha - Tuesday Dec 4, 2012

 FDI In Retail - Debate in Lok Sabha

Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj's Debate Speech -

•  starting the debate pointed out how US President Barak Obama was promoting small shops through the policy of “small business Saturdays”. “Obama took his two daughters to buy books at a small neighbourhood shop,” she said. 

• “Wal-Mart faces allegations of corruption and bribery. Does this decision to allow FDI also stems out of corruption — this will lead the country to disaster,” the BJP leader asked.

• Rejecting Commerce Minister Anand Sharma's claim that the entry of foreign retail giants would create 40 lakh direct jobs, Sushma Swaraj said, “Only if the retailers set up 18,000 shops - at every road crossing of the big cities - can they provide 40 lakh jobs.”

•  big retailers pay farmers less. "They pay farmers less, employees less, but keep high profits. All over the world, large supermarkets do this''

•  even McDonald's does not take potatoes from Indian farmers. "Government should ask McDonald's where does it source potatoes for its fries from. McDonald's never buys potatoes from local Indian farmers, they say the size of potatoes is very small here.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj thanked the Speaker for allowing a debate on FDIn in retail under rule 184 that entails voting. Sushma said that the government has gone back on its promise for a consensus on FDI in retail.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal stressed that the policy was not binding on the states. He said the decision would benefit farmers, small industries, youth as well as consumers. Reading out from the BJP's 2004 and 2009 manifestos, Sibal said, “In 2004, you were in support of 26% FDI in multi-brand retail. But in 2009, you changed stand because you lost elections.” He argued that the government needed to boost the economy as it was facing deficit in both fiscal and current account.


Speaker Meira Kumar said she has allowed to combine debate and voting on FDI in retail and FEMA amendment.
The BJP has opposed the clubbing together of FDI and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) debate and voting.

 FDI in retail and support to UPA Govt

BSPchief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav have said that their parties will take a call on the floor of the House

The numbers in the Lok Sabha
Vote on FDI
For
Congress(206) + DMK(18) + OTH(30) + RJD(4) + JDS(3) = 261
Against
NDA(152) + LEFT(24)+ TMC(19) + AIADMK (9) + BJD (14) = 218
Abstain
SP(22) + BSP(21) = 43
After the abstentions, the total strength comes down to 501 and the half-way mark comes down to 251

In  case of a defeat on FDI, the government doesn't fall but it will be a huge embarrassment.