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New Delhi: "I want
rain, not FDI", said 43-year-old Harjari Ram, a farmer from
Rajasthan, one among the thousands in the crowd gathered at
Ramlila Maidan here to hear the Congress push its reforms agenda.
At the mega rally, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outlined the
benefits of the United Progressive Alliance government's move to
open up the economy to FDI in multi-brand retail, saying it was
good for farmers and the people.
"I have no idea whether the government policy will really help
farmers. For us good rains is enough, not FDI," Harjari Ram, a
farmer from Nagaur district, told IANS.
Thousands of farmers, from Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and
other areas neighbouring the capital were ferried to the rally
ground in buses, but many like Harjari Ram appeared oblivious to
the economic reform policy announced in late September.
Keehva Ram, 60, also from Rajasthan, said he knew nothing of the
rally beyond that it was organised by the Congress. "I was told
there is rally in Delhi and I came," Keehva Ram said.
Asked if he thought the rally would help farmers, Keehva Ram
nodded simply.
"The Congress is doing good for the farmers and it is a very good
party. FDI is also good," said Ram, but when asked about FDI, he
said he had no idea what it meant.
As he was being probed further on FDI, the sarpanch of his village
butted in, saying, "Ask me the questions, not to them."
The Congress-led UPA government had announced 51 percent foreign
direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail in September, in the
face of massive opposition from most political parties and
traders.
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