Chambers can wait

Even as the major political parties are busy formulating their agenda as part of the poll campaign, the apex chambers of commerce and industry are telling the political leadership what industry and business expect of them in the realm of economic policy. But, one wonders if the chambers’ timing is right. The voter has to be wooed and this makes it necessary for various parties to spell out the kind of policies that the government formed by them would pursue. But, as for the business community what impact are its representative bodies making when there is no active government? After all, which politician now has either the time or the inclination to look at the demands of the captains of industry? It is true that senior members of the tribe have declared themselves on major economic issues, but to expect them to consider seriously the various proposals mooted by the chambers is asking for the impossible. The thinktank in the major political parties cannot be blamed if they just take no notice.

The business community should save its labours for the week that follows the formation of 12th Lok Sabha and the swearing in of a new government at the Centre. However, at that time the correct course would be to seek an active involvement in the making of economic policy rather than draw satisfaction from meetings with the leadership or submitting impressive memoranda. When the economy is set on the liberalisation path, businessmen cannot assume that it is only for the government to act and their own task would be one of making demands. This is an attitude that is born out of long years of lobbying. This has no place in a liberalising environment and those in business have got to be part of the policy-making machinery.