FICCI Worked as an Influencer, not a Lobby Group: Mittal
Industry body FICCI revealed that it is not a lobby group and worked only as an "influencer" to include the Government on policy issues, posing an assertion that there is no need to introduce legalized-lobbying in India like in the US.
"I don't go and talk about (tinkering with duties), but wherever the industry gets impacted on policy matters, I think it is the job of chambers to go and engage the government", FICCI's newly elected President Rajan Mittal said.
"The Government's job is to be a facilitator; that's what they should do, and if they do that there is no room for any lobbyist", he added.
However, lobbying is legal and the industry forms apart a budget for this activity in US.
Mittal said, "I don't think we have any role to play, our role is there to look at policy matters", when questioned if he saw a role for FICCI in disciplining corporate in the face of reports of growing malpractices in fighting rivals and insider trading.
Also, when asked what else the Finance Minister could further have undertaken in the Union Budget 2010-11, Mittal responded by quoting that the Government should have outlined a clear structure for FDI in retail and insurance.
