RJD chief Lalu Prasad today backed UPA government's decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in retail and said farmers stood to gain as also people who could shop in air-conditioned comfort.

"Farmers stand to gain from FDI in multi-brand retail as they will get a fair price of their produce," Prasad told reporters here in Bihar's Saran district.

"The people too will benefit as they will be have a choice of consumer goods from retail outlets to be set up by the world's leading retailers, the RJD supremo said.

"Consumers will get to buy goods from air-conditioned stores where a variety of quality goods, groceries, foodgrains and fruits would be available, unlike being forced to buy from open and unhygenic marketplaces," he said.

Prasad also said the Centre a had resource crunch to meet expenditure on development and welfare schemes and the measures would help generate it.

To persistent questions how his party with a major support base in downtrodden sections could support FDI in retail, the RJD leader retorted 'Main kya kar sakta ... Meri party UPA sarkar ko support karti hai (What can I do as my party supports the UPA government?)

On West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's deadline to UPA government, he said she would be convinced to support the policy decision on FDI.

Banerjee has been known to oppose a number of UPA government's decision but had relented subsequently, Prasad said.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also hailed UPA government's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail saying the move would benefit all stakeholders.

He congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for this "bold initiative".

"The move will benefit all stakeholders, especially the farmers. Haryana, which accounts for 44 per cent of the NCR area, offers a huge market for investment," the Chief Minister said.

Hooda said adequate safeguards had been taken to protect the interest of small retailers.