CAIT MADE AN UNUSUAL APPEAL TO MEDIA TO HOLD DEBATE ON FDI IN RETAIL

The issue of FDI in Retail Trade of India has become crucial for national economy and will have far reaching impact on the life of every citizen. The Government is laying all stress to establish that FDI in Retail is the ultimate solution of all problems of the Country. The Prime Minister, UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Mr. Rahul Gandhi and other politicians within the Congress are relentlessly advocating the benefits of FDI in Retail without substantiating their arguments with logical reasoning and apparently the Government has not conducted any proper research to determine the impacts of the FDI in Retail. The opposing voice of the majority of political fraternity and that of stakeholders has been deeply ignored by the Government. Though Government is able to put forth its view whether right or wrong before the public through various resources at its command, the reasoning of opposition to FDI in Retail has not been reflected in its right perspective though the media has done his best to highlight the issue.

Under the circumstances, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) while taking an unusual step today appealed the media of the Country to hold a "comprehensive open debate” for sufficient duration of time in a structured manner by inviting votaries of both sides to place their view point with proper reasoning supported by relevant facts and figures in order to bring the real truth of the controversial issue before the people of India. The CAIT also suggested that to monitor the debate a panel of eminent and distinguished citizens not belonging to any side may be formed to ensure impartial debate.  

The CAIT is officially writing communications to different media for holding such a debate so that the issue may go down the last man of the Country and to make people aware of the pros and cons of FDI in Retail-informed CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia and Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal in a joint statement issued here today. The policy which seems to be beneficial to about 150 corporate houses at the cost of 120 crore people of the Country needs a public scanning.

Quoting former US President Thomas Jefferson saying that “If it were left to me whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without the government. I should not hesitate to prefer the latter” both Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal said that it is the primary function of the press to provide comprehensive and objective information on all aspects of the issues concerned with a common man since democracy is not only a form of government but also a way of life where public opinion is an important aspect. There is a need to inform the people of things around them so that there is a check on the Government. In a country like India where most of the people are non participant in framing the policies, public opinion needs to be generated and media is competent enough to perform the duty. it has to present what is true, advocate what is necessary and enable the people to sift the essence from material.

The CAIT leaders hoped that since the issue has been made confusing due to incorrect information and illogical arguments which are being floated without going in to the depth of the issue to mislead the Country, the media will certainly rise to the occasion and will hold “open debate” on the issue. “The CAIT is ready to participate in any such debate”-said Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal