New Delhi/ Patna, Sept 22 (ANI): A day after Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh defended the economic reforms undertaken by the Centre, regional leader and lawmaker from Samajwadi Party (SP), Naresh Agarwal, has urged him to present a white paper over hike in diesel price.
Interacting with reporters here on Saturday, Agarwal registered SP's dissent over hike in diesel prices.
"We don't agree with the Prime Minister that his government's decision to hike diesel price by Rs. 5 is any less. People are already reeling under high inflation. This price hike would further increase the inflation by about 25 percent. Why doesn't the Prime Minister release a white paper for the clarity of the public on issues covering retail opening, diesel price hike etc.? Also discussions over the same can be held," Agarwal said.
Meanwhile lawmaker of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Balbir Punj said that the BJP would continue its movement against the Congress-led Central government.
Punj hailed Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) for pulling out of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), while hinting at the possibility of extending support to the regional party.
"We will continue to campaign against the government, both inside and outside the parliament. We will try to corner the government inside the parliament and take support from other political parties as well. We welcome what has been done by Mamata Banerjee and her party. We will also strongly consider extension of support if her party targets the government in the parliament," Punj said.
In Patna, Janata Dal- United (JD-U) leader Shiavanand Tiwari demanded discussion over allowing FDI in retail sector in the parliament, and slammed the government for not pursuing the crucial issue in accordance with the country's democratic structure.
"I fail to understand what is happening in India. How can four people take a final call on issues that concern the nation? This matter should be decided in the Lok Sabha and not from South or North Block," Tiwari said.
Addressing the nation on Friday, Dr. Singh said the recent decisions had been taken to avoid higher fiscal deficit and would help in ensuring that the economy grew swiftly alongwith creation of sufficient jobs.
Dr. Singh said that even after the price increase, the prices of diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in India were lower than those in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Last week, the government had hiked the price of diesel by Rs. 5 and also limited the consumption of LPG cooking cylinders to six per family in a year.
The Prime Minister supported the government's move to allow FDI in retail, saying it would not hurt small traders and that the apprehensions that small retailers would be destroyed were unfounded.
The government made the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail market of the country on September 14, paving the way for multinational companies such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour to enter domestic market.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Dr. Manmohan Singh, decided to allow up to 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retailers and aviation.
Despite the backlash, the government pressed ahead with more reforms, slashing a tax on overseas borrowing by Indian firms and implementing a scheme to encourage individuals to invest in the stock market.
The cabinet may also approve measures next week to allow greater foreign investment in the insurance sector. (ANI)
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