FICCI not a lobbyist: Mittal

“I don’t go and talk about (tinkering with duties),but wherever 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.

On whether the government should introduce legalised- lobbying to get rid of the malice of informal corporate lobbying through use of money,he said: “The government’s job is to be a facilitator; that’s what they should do and if they they do that there is no room for any lobbyist.”

In US lobbying is legal and the industry sets apart a budget for this activity.

“If you (government) open avenues,remove obstacles and roadblocks,why should you have a lobbyist,” Mittal wondered.

He,however,added that there have been dramatic changes over the years and there was hardly any need for going to Udyog Bhawan (Industry Ministry) for any concession.

Asked if he saw a role for FICCI in disciplining corporate in the face of reports of growing malpractices in fighting rivals and insider trading,Mittal said: “I don’t think we have any role to play… our role is there to see the policy matters.”