Union minister of state (independent charge) for corporate affairs Salman Khurshid on Thursday said that corporate lobbying per say was not illegal. “There is a democratic right to lobby, to argue, to defend, to promote but it should be within legitimate limits,” he added. Mr Khurshid was speaking on the sidelines of a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) programme in the city.
In reference to the 2G spectrum scam involving corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, he said: “Corporate lobbying is concern for all ministries, not just my corporate affairs ministry. We need to consult among us. What are the limits and do they need to be regulated is something we need to consult. We have to see what the public at large feels.”
Speaking further, Mr Khurshid maintained that nobody has said that corporate lobbying was illegal but lobbying that led to an illegal act was illegal.
“Now the questions before us are: Should we go beyond illegality issue to look at things which are improper? Should we make those areas transparent? Should we ask for declaration of lobbyists employed,” he said.