FICCI presents 100-day agenda to PM

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FICCI today presented a 100-day agenda to the Government. The agenda includes doing away with the 5,000-acre limit for SEZs, keeping interest rates low and opening up defence sector by allowing private participation. It is aimed at stimulating investment, enhancing efficiency by cutting transaction costs, sprucing up governance and correcting the perception of a looming fiscal crisis.

Addressing the press after meeting with the Prime Minister, FICCI president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, 8220;The perception of a problem whether real or fiscal, must be addressed. We8217;re not trying to create alarm. But if you continue tightening monetary policy for two consecutive quarters, it can potentially curb development.8221;

The agenda lists measures to boost investment in infrastructure and calls for stabilising the policy framework for, granting 8216;Industry8217; status to the retail sector, allowing companies under section 25 to set up higher educational and opening up the defence and homeland security industry to the private sector.