Govt's role must be of facilitator in land acquisition: Modi New Delhi: Talking about economic reforms, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday came out strongly in support of privatisation while addressing the first Think India Dialogue of Network18. Modi, however, opposed FDI in retail and defence, but backs foreign investment in other sectors and said government's role must be of facilitator in land acquisition.

Modi said he favours privatisation but wanted to test the new model in Gujarat without sale or closure of Public Sector Undertakings (PSU).

Lauding Network 18's initiative to introduce a platform for dialogue between opposing stands, Modi said that fruitful results can be reached through dialogue and "such measures yield positive results".

Pointing out that even though the government was omnipresent in India, Modi said that governance was lacking which resulted in people losing faith in the institution. "God is omnipresent and people have faith in god. Even government is present everywhere but there is no faith. People have more faith in private security agencies for their safety but not in the government machinery," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said....more    
07:49 PM, Apr 08, 2013

Delhi: Several markets to remain closed today Most markets in Delhi will remain closed on Thursday. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) have called for a 'Delhi trade bandh' to protest against FDI in retail. A rally will be held at Ramlila Grounds too later in the day. ...  
09:15 AM, Mar 07, 2013

Economic Survey likely to focus on accelerating growth A day before the Budget, Finance Minister P Chidambaram will table the Economic Survey 2013-14 in Parliament on Wednesday. The main focus of the survey is likely to be on accelerating economic growth. The Central Statistical Organisation estimates project a 5 per cent growth this year, which is the lowest in a decade. Prepared by a team of economists, led by Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan, the Survey is likely...  
07:57 AM, Feb 27, 2013

Finance Ministry to take up four FDI proposals today The Finance Ministry on Wednesday will consider four FDI proposals in single brand retailing, including that of Decathlon and Fossil Inc, worth Rs 750 crore. Proposals of French fashion brand Promod, crockery maker Le Creuset and sports giant Decathlon along with that of US-based accessories firm Fossil Inc are listed on the agenda of Wednesday's Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) meeting, an official said. ...  
03:40 AM, Feb 13, 2013

Studying India's conditions on FDI: Walmart US-based global retail giant Walmart on Thursday said it is studying the conditions related to India's allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail before making the final announcement on its entry plans. ...  
08:20 PM, Jan 24, 2013

Is FDI in retail a political gimmick? SC to Centre The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up Central Government on allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. The apex court while hearing a PIL against FDI in multi-brand retail asked the government to explain its view on impact of the policy on small traders. ...  
12:57 PM, Jan 22, 2013

Last word on FDI in retail has not been said: BJP BJP on Friday said the last word has not yet been said on the FDI in multi-brand retail issue and the party would revisit the decision of the UPA government if it comes to power. ...  
02:20 AM, Jan 12, 2013

Vivian Fernandes

Espresso Economics |

One hundred per cent foreign direct investment is allowed in hotels and restaurants without approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, a move meant to ...
05:57 PM, Dec 28, 2012

Centre will pay heavy price for imposing FDI: CPM Lashing out at the UPA on the FDI in multi-brand retail, CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat on Wednesday said the Centre will pay a "heavy political price" for trying to impose it, which is "anti-national" and "anti-people". "I am confident that majority of the people in this country are against this policy and we are confident that in the coming days, the Congress and UPA government will have to pay...  
08:51 AM, Dec 20, 2012

Not much difference between Cong, BJP on graft: AAP The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said there was not much difference between Congress and BJP when it comes to corruption, and accused Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan of double-speak on FDI issue. ...  
12:44 AM, Dec 20, 2012

Congress conspiring to trap Mulayam in CBI net: SP The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday alleged the UPA government at the Centre was conspiring to trap party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav in the CBI net for not supporting the FDI in retail and a bill on quota in promotions. ...  
09:30 PM, Dec 16, 2012

CBI has been an unfair whipping boy of everybody: Tewari Speaking to Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said legal action would be taken if it would be proved that Walmart committed aberrations. He insisted that lobbying is different from bribery and said that it is unfair the the Opposition stalls Parliament every day when there are no substantive evidence to prove that Walmart was at fault. ...  
09:16 PM, Dec 16, 2012

'FDI in retail not the only solution to boost economy' Contending that FDI in retail was not the only solution to boost the economy, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said a strong political will is required to create a climate which encourages capital investment in the country. ...  
09:03 PM, Dec 15, 2012

Next LS polls between Walmart and Swadesh fronts: BJP Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader P Muralidhar Rao on Saturday said the 2014 Lok Sabha polls would be fought between the "Walmart front" and the nationalist or Swadeshi front with the UPA government going ahead with the FDI in retail sector. "The UPA and DMK, they stand for Walmart. I can call it a 'Walmart front." ...  
07:16 PM, Dec 15, 2012

We represent 'outdated' comman man, says Mamata West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday countered Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's criticism of those opposing FDI in retail, saying she was with the common man who was "outdated". ...  
05:16 PM, Dec 15, 2012

Attempts on for 'back door entry' of Walmart in TN: DMK Key UPA constituent DMK, which supported Centre in the FDI vote in Parliament, on Thursday said attempts are on to provide "back-door entry" to global retail giant Walmart in the state even as Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had opposed FDI in multi-brand retail in the state. The DMK's Executive, which met here under party chief M Karunanidhi, said reports had suggested Walmart was in the process of establishing a commercial complex...  
03:41 PM, Dec 13, 2012

Confident things will work out in India: Walmart CEO Walmart Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke has said that he will be "patient" and is confident that things will work out in India for the company. His statement came amid the political uproar in India over opening of the multi-brand retail sector as well as lobbying efforts by the retail giant. ...  
05:50 PM, Dec 12, 2012

Govt announces judicial inquiry into lobbying by Walmart Bowing to opposition pressure, government on Wednesday announced a time-bound inquiry by a retired judge into reports of lobbying by retail giant Walmart to gain entry into India. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath made the announcement as soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day. "Government will appoint a retired judge to hold a time-bound inquiry into the media reports regarding Walmart," Nath said. ...  
12:42 PM, Dec 12, 2012

Confident that things will work out in India: Walmart CEO Walmart Chief Executive Officer Mike Duke has said he will be "patient" and is confident that things will get worked out in India for the company, amid the political uproar in India over opening of the multi-brand retail sector as well as lobbying efforts by the retail giant. ...  
12:26 PM, Dec 12, 2012

Disclosures not linked to Indian govt contacts: Walmart US retail giant Walmart has responded to the charges being levelled by the Opposition leaders in India. A company statement says, "These disclosures have nothing to do with political or governmental contacts with India government officials." ...  
08:41 AM, Dec 12, 2012