Mumbai Aug 23 (ANI): Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said that no state will be forced to implement FDI in multi-brand retail.

Sharma, who was speaking to mediapersons after the inauguration of the India International Jewellery Show organized by the Gems and Jewellery Exports Promotion Council here, said that ten states have already endorsed the Centre's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail.

Asserting that the opening up of the sector would help farmers, consumers as well as small entrepreneurs as integrated infrastructure will benefit the rural economy, he expressed hope that the states not in the favour of this move will gradually see the benefit.

Amid reports that the government is mulling notifying FDI in retail, the BJP today organized a protest demonstration by traders from across the country to oppose the move.

The entire BJP top rung including party chief Nitin Gadkari, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Vijay Goel, among others, participated in the protest in New Delhi.

The government had proposed to allow the 450 billion dollars supermarket sector to foreign firms such as Wal-Mart, but had suspended the decision to allow such investment in multi-brand retailing due to opposition from several parties, including some UPA allies. (ANI)