Rajya Sabha is hoding discussion on FDI retail. Initiating the debate senior AIADMK leader V K Maitreyan criticised the UPA -2 for allowing FDI . Dr Maitreyan also alleged that Chief Ministers were never consulted by the government before announcing its decision. Mr Maitreyan also questioned why Walmart is only interested to set up its stores in 53 cities of the country.

The government on the other ha said that FDI in multi-brand retail trade will benefit the aam admi and small and marginal farmers of the country. Intervening on the discussion on an opposition motion against FDI, Law minister Ashwani Kumar said it would transform the lives of farmers in the post harvesting session. Mr Kumar said, the huge investments through FDI will add two per cent to the country's GDP. Mr Kumar said the government has taken this conscious decision for the growth of country's economy. The minister said retail trade in China has not been affected in spite of Walmart's presence in that country for last 20 years.

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said the country will have to pay a heavy price if FDI in retail is allowed. He said most parties are against the move and the government's victory in the Lok Sabha yesterday was because of compromises it had to make with some of them.

The Lok Sabha yesterday defeated the opposition sponsored motion against FDI in retail. Rejecting the motion only 218 members voted for it while 253 members voted against it.

The discussion is continuing.