Parl logjam to end; Govt puts FDI decision on backburner

New Delhi, Dec 7: Stepping back to break the logjam in Parliament, the government on Wednesday put the controversial decision on FDI in retail on the backburner till a consensus is evolved, a proposal the entire opposition and the dissenting allies accepted without reservation.

At an all-party meeting concened by him this morning, Leader of the House in Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the government would move a proposal in Parliament stating, "The decision to permit 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail will be suspended till a consensus is developed through consultations with various stakeholders."

Moreover, both Houses will adopt government resolution suspending 51 per cent FDI in retail 'till a consensus is developed through consultations with various stakeholders'.

CPI says this decision by the government is a 'virtual rollback' of the FDI decision; and they will allow Parliament to function.

In a statement to the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said decision on FDI in retail suspended till consensus was reached through consultations with stakeholders including political parties and states

After Mukherjee's statement, Speaker Meira Kumar disallowed notices of adjournment motion by opposition members.

PTI