Haldirams, Bikanerwala, Toyota & Nescafe cited in favour of FDI

NEW DELHI: Attacking the Opposition's demand to rollback FDI in multi-brand retail, UPA II politicians argued in favour of the provision. While Praful Patel was of he opinion that FDI in retail enhances competition and has improved the performance of domestic units, Lalu Prasad Yadav accused BJP of double-standards.

Here is a look at some of the arguments presented in the Lok Sabha debate in favour of retail FDI:

Deepinder Hooda: The BJP talked about Mc Donalds not buying potatoes from India, guess where they procure the most potatoes from - Gujarat!

They (BJP) said that farmer gets a loan because of trust in money lenders, traders. But they get loan on backbreaking interest.

Anand Sharma: Farmers suffer due to lack of food management infrastructure; FDI will ensure adequate storage facilities and reduce wastage. FDI decision taken after consulting all stakeholders

Haldirams has 38 stores globally, 3 in London. Bikanerwala, a Rs 1000 cr company, has 85 stores globally. Thanks to NDA, people from the US and the UK are munching Haldiram and Bikanerwala!

Lalu Prasad Yadav: " Nescafe peene walon, poocho Advani ji se Twitter ka istemal kyun kartein hain, woh videshi nahi hain kya?".

"BJP is opposing FDI in retail wearing coloured-glasses with an eye on 2014 general elections," he stormed.

Stating that BJP supported FDI in retail in its manifesto in 2002, Lalu hit out at Advani saying, "You used a Toyota for your rath yatra and that is foreign technology. BJP is against progress."

He even went on to say that RJD would immediately 'destroy' all retail stores, if they start harming the people of the country.

Praful Patel: Hitting out at the opposition for their arguments on FDI in multi-brand retail, Praful Patel said that with the opening of outlets by KFC and McDonald's has led to improvements in Indian chains like Bikanerwala & Haldiram.

He also said that owing to competition, shops in small villages have also seen an improvement. In an attempt to press his point that FDI will not harm local products Patel cited the example of Thums Up being more popular than Coca Cola.