The government today notified its cabinet decision on opening of Foreign Direct Investment- FDI in multi brand retail , civil aviation , broadcasting sector and power exhanges. It said that decision come into immediate effect. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with this notification, multinational retailers can invest up to 51 per cent to open stores in 10 states and Union Territories. 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retailing, in all products, will be permitted. While in context of FDI in the multi-brand retail, State Governments would be free to take their own decisions.

The notification also operationalised Cabinet decisions to relax the sourcing norms for foreign retailers investing beyond 51 per cent in single-brand retail and allow 49 per cent FDI by foreign airlines in the domestic carriers.

Besides, the decisions on permitting 49 per cent FDI in power exchanges and increase in foreign equity cap from 49 per cent to 74 per cent in the service providers like DTH in broadcasting sector have also been notified.