New Turn To Chambers Tiff

In the second round of the face-off between Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry over Joint Business Councils (JBCs), Ficci has accused Assocham of carrying forward Rs 53,56,114 and not paying its dues for the last six years.

"This staggering figure indicates Assocham's unwillingness to meet its partnership obligations," Ficci said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

The statement said Assocham's decision to withdraw from this partnership was prompted by its own incapacity to host any event with US President Bill Clinton during his visit here. "Assocham's incapacity to host any event with President Bill Clinton may have precipitated its crisis," Ficci said.

However, the statement said Assocham's withdrawal would have no impact on the functioning of JBCs. Ficci said Assocham's participation in the partnership was, in any case, minuscule. "Out of a paid membership of 247 businesses and companies, Assocham's contribution of companies was only eight (or 3 per cent) during last year," the statement said.

Assocham signed only two JBCs (with Australia and New Zealand) on its own since it joined hands with Ficci in 1988. The total number of JBCs is 67 and Ficci has brought 27 countries into the fold since 1988, Ficci added.

"This incapacity on the part of Assocham has been considerably hindering the work of JBCs. In the new situation, Ficci will be able to strengthen the JBC further through appointment of major industrialists who have expressed interest to chair or co-chair the JBCs," the statement said.

"Assocham's partnership responsibility of nominating an equal number of chairmen or co-chairmen also remains unfulfilled," Ficci added. Out of the 67 functioning JBCs, Assocham was able to offer only 12 (18 per cent), it said. "Only recently, Assocham had requested for nomination of another eight, still keeping unfulfilled their obligation of nominating 47 more office bearers to JBCs.