Sheila Dikshit calls for expediting FDI in multi-brand retail

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today pitched for FDI in multi-brand retail saying it will help both farmers and consumers.

The government had to put the decision of allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail on hold due to protest from Opposition parties and UPA ally Trinamool Congress.

"We need to expedite FDI in multi-brand retail so that both farmers and consumers can benefit from it," Dikshit said said at the South Asian Horti Congress here.

She also pointed out that around 40 per cent of vegetables and fruits go waste due to lack of cold storage facilities and transport infrastructure.

"What worries me is the lack of proper storage and transport facilities that leads to an almost 40 per cent wastage of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the country," Dikshit said.

According to government data, area under horticulture increased from 18.45 million hectares in 2004-05 to 21 million hectare. Production went up from 166.9 million tonnes to 240 million tonne.

Dikshit said FDI in retail will help farmers out of the fluctuating situation of rates and ensure them the best remunerative prices of their products. It will also facilitate common man in getting essential commodities at lower rates.