No pressure on states over FDI

PUDUCHERRY: The Centre would not put any pressure on the States to accept it’s decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-branded retail outlets, Union Minister V Narayansamy said on Sunday. “The State governments have an option to accept it or reject it. It will not be forced upon it,” he said. Justifying the decision on FDI, he said it was taken after holding discussions with various stake holders. States like Punjab, Maharasthra, Orissa and Rajastan had supported FDI and had given their consent in writing, hesaid, adding that FDI would bring in several crores in investments and benefit the farmers.