Kolkata: Expressing her suspicion over the benefits of reforms reaching out to the poor and common people of the country, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said reforms did not mean selling out everything in order to satisfy a section of individuals and the government.
An infuriated Trinamool Congress leadership on Friday issued a 72-hour deadline to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance regime to rethink the twin decisions of diesel price hike and foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail.
"Yes, we need reforms. But reform does not mean selling out everything to satisfy some sections of individuals. In a democratic set-up, reforms must reach up to the poor and common people and the beauty of democracy lies in realizing its responsibility towards the common people," Banerjee posted on her Facebook page.
Pointing out that developed countries have many social security schemes in order to channelize the benefits of reforms to all sections of the society, Banerjee said India doesn't have elaborate social security schemes or safety valve mechanisms for protection of the interest of common people.
"A series of unilateral and anti-people decisions might help in raising Sensex points only for the time being. I agree that Sensex must be stable, but at the same time, policy and planning should not be used to impose backbreaking burden on the common people," she posted.
Banerjee Friday said that her party was ready to take hard decisions during its parliamentary party meet Sep 18.
"If black money is unearthed in the country, and brought back home from abroad and is used for development purposes, then the Sensex will grow in an unparalleled manner," she said.
Banerjee reiterated that she would not support the decision of selling out everything as she and her party were determined to fight for the cause of common people.
"I do not support any decision to sell out everything. This might suit one section of the government. We are determined to fight for the cause of the common people and we can sacrifice our lives but cannot compromise on it," she posted.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Friday decided to allow up to 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail.
The government Thursday announced a hike in diesel price by Rs.5 a litre and capped the supply of subsidised cooking gas cylinders to six per family per year.
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