Vidarbha farmers support 'Bharat Bandh' against FDI in retail

17 September, 2012

More than 3 million agrarian-crisis-hit cotton farmers of West Vidarbha will join nationwide Bandh called by the Confederation of Industries on September 20, to protest the government decision to operationalise 51 per cent foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.

ACCORDING TO Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), a farmers' advocacy group, protesters will block the national highway passing through Vidarbha to protest the decision.

“Vidarbha is classic example of allowing FDI in agriculture. MNCs having done massive investments in seed, pesticides and infrastructure have created their monopoly and are involved in unfair trade practices are part and parcel of Walmart, Tesco and Carrefour internationally hence their entry will fuel more despair and distress and aggravate agrarian crisis,” Tiwari alleged.

Tiwari said that they have been demanding the Indian agrarian economy should be protected from this round of liberalization, which is against rural India. Part of big-bang reforms, the government on last Friday allowed 51% FDI in multi-brand retail, 49% investment by foreign airlines in aviation sector.

Vidarbha farmers have strongly opposed this move and demanded the roll back of UPA government's most unfortunate decision, Tiwari said.