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FICCI is an influencer, not a lobby group: Mittal Asserting that there is no need to introduce legalised-lobbying in India like in the U.S., industry body FICCI said that it is not a lobby group and worked only as an "influencer" to engage the government on policy issues. 'We have never been a lobby group, we are influencers. '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. 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 do that there is no room for any lobbyist.' In the U.S., however, lobbying is legal and the industry sets apart a budget for this activity. 'If the government opens avenues, removes obstacles and roadblocks, why should you have a lobbyist,' Mittal asked. Asked if he saw a role for FICCI in disciplining corporates 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 look at policy matters.' |
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