FDI in retail will help marginalised farmers: Sahai

New Delhi: Defending FDI in retail, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai today said marginalised farmers will benefit out of it.

"Small farmers having just one acre or less land in the country will get a chance to do market-driven farming now. He will get the benefit of (reforms) it. Everybody understands it but oppose it for political reasons," he said on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi organised by CII.[caption id="attachment_462662" align="alignleft" width="380"] Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai. Image courtesy PIB [/caption]

Sahai was responding to a question on the motive of the government to introduce FDI in multi-brand retail.

"Some people are not been able to understand this. There was also opposition to install computers in banks. But today India's IT sector is a big sector in the world.

"It is a decision taken by the government and we are going to stand by it. Because it is in the interest of the people...poor section of the society," he said.

Referring to shutdown called by opposition parties, he said, "There is a bandh going on and we are here to discuss retail business. So it is a great day."

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Sahai asked entrepreneurs to double their business.

"We require two lakh more rooms in the next few years. We want at least one per cent of world tourists in the next few years."

Quoting Planning Commission reports, he said tourism is going to play a major role in eliminating poverty and creating jobs in the country.

PTI