Open Letter
To,
Sh. Parkash Singh Badal,
Chief Minister,
Punjab.
Subject: – Request to re consider your irrational, illogical and anti farmer political stance over FDI in retail.
Respected Badal Sahib,
Through this letter of mine, I wish to emphasize on benefits that are likely to accrue from FDI in retail if allowed in Punjab.
Punjab being an agrarian economy is presently on a slow down with farmers concentrating mainly of the wheat-paddy cycle depleting our ground water level as well. There are virtually no takers for our cash crops including potatoes, vegetables, fruits or milk products. Farmers are badly fleeced by middlemen in the process of marketing. Their produce is sold many times once it reaches the hands of the middlemen leaving them frustrated. With no industry coming into Punjab, our youth are not only unemployed but dejected, frustrated and directionless thus falling prey to drugs.
If we allow FDI in retail, our farmer is likely to be the biggest beneficiary. There would be automatic shift from the current wheat-paddy crops to other cash crops. Farmers would find ready buyers in the shape of FDI retail companies by getting a good price for their produce. The consumer would also get quality goods at lesser prices. Even the small shopkeeper need not worry as their market would stay intact, as FDI in retail would only be allowed to the cities with population above 10 lacs.
FDI in retail would create employment, boost our economy, real estate prices would pick up and so would rental opportunities.
Even your ally Mr. Ajmer Singh Lakhowal Chairman Mandi Board has supported FDI in retail after understanding its positive effects. Your son Sh. Sukhbir Badal too had initially supported FDI in retail and is on record of having written to Sh. Anand Sharma Commerce Minister, Govt. of India later making a U-turn. Politics should not over rule the interest of our state, your proximity and relations with the BJP are one thing, while the growth and prosperity of Punjab are another. Even the BJP which is now opposing FDI in retail for narrow political gains or vote bank politics had during their rule supported FDI in retail.
Therefore, I urge you to reconsider your political stance of needlessly and blindly opposing FDI in retail. By closing the door of opportunity you would be preventing optional crops to farmers and quality goods to the commoner citizens of Punjab.
I am sure with a vast experience in public life you would reconsider your decision in the interest of Punjab.
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
Ex-MLA