Blaming BJP for creating a "negative" atmosphere in the country,Union Minister of State for Industry and Commerce Jyotiraditya Scindia today said the FDI in multi-brand retail would not be allowed at the village level. FDI in retail,as notified by the Centre,would only enter the cities with population of more than ten lakh,Scindia said,speaking at the Indore Press Club. In 2004,BJP had created "positive mayajal" (illusion) by harping on 'Feel good factor' and India Shining,and now it was creating a "negative mayajal" on FDI with Bharat Bandh,etc,he said. He said the saffron party,in its 1999 manifesto,had vowed to bring "100 per cent" FDI in multi-brand retail. On Trinamool Congress's withdrawal of support to the UPA government,Scindia said,"Every ally is important to us.. We agree to disagree. Our attitude to Trinamool Congress would not change." Only those foreign companies who are willing to invest minimum of Rs 500 crore,half of it in the back-end activities such as logistics,refrigeration,etc,would be allowed in the retail space,Scindia said. About 80 per cent of the country would not be touched by foreign retail giants because of the population criterion,he said. At the same time,the FDI in retail would give a boost to job growth,he said. With high production of foodgrains,fruits and vegetables and milk,India could be a "food basket" of the world,Scindia said. Currently,forty per cent of foodgrains,fruits,vegetables go to waste,he added.
