Govt open to debate on FDI: Kamal Nath

The government was open to discussions on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said Monday ahead of an all-party meeting on the ongoing logjam in parliament.

"Government is open for a discussion on the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail. The primary concern is that the house must be allowed to function," Kamal Nath told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

He said the government would try to strike an agreement in the all-party meet. However, he remained noncommittal on whether the government would allow a debate under rules that entail voting.

Major opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left, have been demanding a debate in the Lok Sabha on the issue under Rule 184, which entails voting.