No 51% FDI in retail in West Bengal: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday the state government will not allow implementation of 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in retail sector in the state.

"We will not allow 51 per cent FDI in retail in West Bengal. It will affect the livelihood of about five crore (50 million) people," the Trinamool Congress chief told reporters in Howrah.

The Union Cabinet on November 24 approved 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail paving the way for global giants like WalMart to open mega stores in cities with population of over one million.

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Meanwhile, UPA ally Trinamool Congress on Monday questioned the purpose of the proposed all-party meeting by government on the issue of FDI in retail and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

"Now they (government) have called for an all-party meeting on FDI. But what is the point when you have already decided.

"We want the FDI decision to be immediately withdrawn," TMC parliamentary party leader Sudeep Bandopadhaya told reporters outside Parliament House.
However, he hastened to add that the TMC has nothing to do with Opposition demand on the FDI issue.

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"We have nothing to do with opposition move in Parliament or outside Parliament. We have given our views."

Claiming that it had played a major role in getting the prices of fuel reduced, the TMC leader said, "Opposition parties have also opposed fuel hike but what happened.

"It is the TMC which has protested the fuel hike effectively as all our members of Parliament had come to meet the Prime Minister on the issue and as a result petrol price was reduced within 15 days."

Asked what will be their stand in the all-party meeting, he said, "We will oppose the FDI decision at the meeting also.

"We are of the opinion that it should have been discussed before the decision."