Rather than paying attention to introducing an effective Lokpal bill or the Judiciary Accountability bill in the Parliament, the UPA-II government seems to have diverted the attention by opening 51% Foreign Direct Investment in retail. Will the nation’s politicians learn from their mistakes at a time when many of them are identified with greed, corruption, land-grab and bad governance? Speak Up explores
Nobody knows how much the Jan Lokpal draft, given by the Anna Hazare team, will be diluted
The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) bill has been pending in the Parliament for a very long time. The UPA-I government was not able to pass the bill because the Communist party was against it. The UPA-II government has again presented the bill and is hoping it will not face any objection this time.
Opening 51% FDI in retail might be an attempt to divert the public attention from Lokpal bill or Judiciary Accountability bill. The FDI bill will eventually benefit the consumers. Right now, the common man gets products at MRP rates from kirana stores whereas at retail chain stores, consumers get the same at discounted rates, so obviously many would prefer retail outlets.
As far as I know, the committee of ministers has still not finalised the Lokpal bill. Nobody knows how much the Jan Lokpal draft, given by the Anna Hazare team, will be diluted. If over 4 million people are working in the government machinery and only few come under the purview of Lokpal, then the bill will have no relevance. I expect when the time comes, the Lokpal bill is introduced in an unbiased manner that would benefit the country.
—DVR Rao, general secretary, Professionals Party of India
The public is eagerly waiting for govt’s decision on Lokpal bill and won’t be distracted by FDI bill
The UPA-II government is always coming out with new tactics to divert the public attention from the Lokpal bill, but it has been unsuccessful so far. However, I cannot say whether the move to pass FDI bill is a diversion tactic used by the government. The public is eagerly waiting for government’s decision on the Lokpal bill and will not get diverted by UPA’s excuses. As of now, nobody is aware about the pros and cons of the FDI bill. Once the bill is scrutinised in detail and made public, then only one can say how it will affect the consumers and farmers.
—Radhesham Jagtap, district president, Bhrashtachar Virodhi Janandolan
If govt thinks it can get away by passing FDI and ignore Lokpal bill, then it is under a wrong impression
Giving government the benefit of doubt, I don’t think it is diverting the public attention from Lokpal bill, which has the support of the whole country. However, if the government thinks it can get away by just passing FDI bill and ignore Lokpal bill, then it is under a wrong impression. In fact, there will be a bigger outcry and repercussion from the public if the government doe not pass the bill soon. If the government is assuming that by delaying the discussion on Lokpal, people will forget about the bill, then it is totally wrong. Hopefully, I feel the government is not using such tactics. It is important to introduce and pass the bill as soon as possible in order to help fight corruption.
As for the FDI bill, some may agree to it while others may not. It will bring foreign investment and encourage healthy competition but it may potentially lead to displacement and some casualties in the local supply chain. While it will benefit the consumers and bring retail supply chain efficiency, I doubt how it will benefit the food supply chain in our country. What we need is an efficient supply chain in the food sector.
—Vishal Jain, trustee, Janwani
The public is focused on the Lokpal bill and will continue to remain till it is not passed
It is obvious that by passing the FDI bill, the UPA-II government is trying to divert the public attention from the Lokpal bill. It shows that the government is more interested in foreign investments and Lokpal is like a noose around its neck. Passing the FDI bill should have not been a priority as there are other pressing matters that need to be addressed.
The government will not be successful in its attempt to dissuade the public. People, at present, are focused on the Lokpal bill and will continue to support it till not passed in its rightful version. The public expectation from Lokpal has reached its ultimatum. If the government is not serious regarding this matter, it will face repercussions.
The FDI bill is also important as India is already part of the international economy. If India is allowed to invest abroad, the same opportunity must be given to foreign investors as well. But right now when there are so many important bills lying in the Parliament that need attention, UPA chose a non-priority bill like FDI, which is definitely a bad move.
—Kshama Dongre, IT professional
The nation is demanding for a strong law against corruption
and bad governance
The UPA-II government definitely used a diversion tactic by shifting the public attention towards the FDI bill. It is inappropriate on the government’s part that rather than focusing on an effective Lokpal bill and Judiciary Accountability bill in the Parliament, it seems to find the FDI bill more important.
We are not endorsing BJP but the party leaders are right in asking the government as to why the FDI bill was introduced hurriedly without consulting other parties. The UPA-II government doesn’t seem to get the message by gauging the public mood. The nation is demanding for a strong law against corruption and bad governance. The government, however, refuses to take any positive step. It seems to be on a suicidal path.
FDI bill is definitely important but we should enforce it after a proper discussion, weighing its pros and cons. I think pushing the FDI bill so quickly was not the right move.
—Deepak Baradia, co-ordinator, India Against Corruption
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