Recently the cabinet unilaterally decided to allow 51% FDI in multi-brand retail. There have been many in support for FDI in multi-brand retail and many have been against it. I personally support the decision to open up multi-brand retail to FDI but the manner and timing of the government’s decision raises several questions.
This major decision was taken without consulting the opposition or a debate in the parliament and the timing was right at the beginning of the winter session of Parliament. What use is the Parliament of when you take such a major decision without discussion let alone taking the Parliament into confidence. Add to this the timing – right at the beginning of the winter session. Now they can enjoy the winter in their blankets purchased from public money as the parliament would be disrupted. (btw: Under no circumstances do I support disruption of Parliament) The opposition stands united against the government and is applying all kinds of pressure tactics including disruption of the Parliament. Same thing happened over the JPC demand in the winter session last year. The Congress was clever enough to choose the timing of its decision.
Now the congress stalwarts will express their concern about Parliamentary democracy and its disruption and blame the opposition of killing precious time of the Parliament. The ‘Strong’ Lokpal bill is supposed to come in this very winter session. The Congress can have a strong and valid reason for not being able to bring the Lokpal Bill in this winter session and blame it on the opposition.
