Manmohan Singh appeals to parties to help pass key economic legislations

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appealed to political parties across the spectrum to work together to ensure passage of important economic legislations in Parliament and to maintain a growth path which will see GDP rate of 9 per cent.

He also said Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector would be allowed after a political consensus is evolved but held out an assurance that whatever decisions the government would take will not affect small retail traders in the country.

Addressing a press conference while returning home from a 7-day trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, he listed the crucial economic legislations to be passed like the one to increase FDI in insurance sector, Pension Reforms Bill, Goods and Services Tax Bill, Public Procurement Policy and the Lokpal Bill.