The Opposition sponsored motion on Foreign Direct Investment in multi brand retail has been rejected by Parliament . The motion was defeated yesterday in the Rajya Sabha with 123 members opposing the motion moved by AIADMK leader Dr V Maitreyan. 109 members supported it. BSP members voted against the motion while Samajwadi Party members walked out before the motion was put to vote.

Replying to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha Commerce Minister Anand Sharma justified 51 Percent FDI in retail and assured the House that the government will not make any compromise in the protection of small and marginal farmers. He said, the government has taken several measures to strengthen the manufacturing sector and the decision has been taken in the supreme national interest .

The Minister asserted that all the stakeholders including the chief ministers have been consulted before taking the decision. He also denied opposition allegations that they were not consulted.