The Industries Minister, Mr P.K. Kunhalikkutty, has said that the State government has always resented the Centre’s idea of opening up multi-brand retail to foreign competition.
In fact, the director, department of industries and commerce, had written to the State government on January 31 this year requesting it to host a meeting of South Indian States on the issue. But the State government replied on February 14 excusing itself based on its stance against foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.
Mr Kunhalikkutty issued the statement in the context of a controversy over the reported statement in Brussels of the Union Commerce Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, citing Kerala as among the States having responded positively to the FDI move.
Mr Sharma later denied having made the statement.