Ramdev alleges Manmohan Singh behaves like a 'broker of foreign companies'

Nagpur, Nov. 30 (ANI): Criticising the Prime Minister over the decision to approve Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail sector, yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Wednesday said that it seemed that Dr. Manmohan Singh was working towards the protection of foreign retailers like the Wal-Mart.

Ramdev said that the Prime Minister was acting like the president of the global retail giant Wal-Mart.

"The character of this government is exposed before the country. I feel very sad that the Prime Minister of the country also behaves like a broker of the foreign companies. He backs foreign direct investment in retail market as if he the president of Wal-Mart. It is very shameful," he told the media here.

Ramdev said the move of the ruling Congress Party is to mislead the nation and divert their attention from various important issues like corruption and black money.

"In order to ensure that the issue of black money and corruption is not brought up as the people of the country had expressed their anger and in order to suppress that anger, the government has brought in the name of FDI, a new menace," said Ramdev.

"The government wants that all the people and the political parties should forget about everything else and they should get engrossed only in the FDI in the retail sector and all other important issues are sidelined," he added.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, had on Tuesday defended the government's decision to approve 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail, and said that the policy is good for the economy and would bring jobs and technology to farmers.

Addressing a Youth Congress meet here, Dr. Singh said: "We didn't take the decision hastily. We have thought a lot and firmly believe that this decision will benefit us a lot."

"We have really considered it and believe it is for our best. It will get us modern technology, not let crops get damaged, get farmers good prices and bridge gaps," he added.

Last Thursday, the Cabinet approved 51 percent FDI in multi- brand retail, As per this move, many global retailers like Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Tesco can open outlets in India.

The Cabinet also decided to remove the 51 per cent cap on FDI in single brand format under which companies in food, lifestyle and sports business run stores. Owners of brands like Adidas, Gucci, Hermes, LVMH and Costa Coffee can have full ownership of business in India. (ANI)