Delhi shop owners divided over AAP’s decision on FDI in retail

ArvindThe decision of Delhi's Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party Government not to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail in the state has been receiving mixed response even from the multi-brand retailers.

Many people have approved the decision saying it would protect the interests of small shop owners, while many others are opposing the decision saying it would have improved the retail industry.

Jaspreet Singh, who runs a grocery store in Gole market of the national capital, said FDI in multi-brand retail sector should be allowed as it would give a fierce competition to high-end shops in prime locations.

Opposing the AAP's decision, Jaspreet said, "These high-end shops in malls and at other prime locations should get fierce competitors in the form of foreign retailers. I don't support the AAP's decision on FDI in the Capital."

However, many other shop owners welcomed the decision saying it would lessen their troubles that they were facing due to the potential arrival of foreign retailers in the sector.

The Kejriwal-led AAP government recently asked the central department of industrial policy & promotion board to remove Delhi from the list of states that had agreed to FDI in the multi-brand retail sector.

Following the withdrawal of Delhi from the list, only Bangalore and Mumbai remain open to FDI in the multi-brand retail sector as fierce opposition from Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalithaa has already pour cold water on FDI plans in Calcutta and Chennai.