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Panel
Discussion on Auto Retailing in India A Panel Discussion on "Auto Retailing in India" was organised jointly by FICCI and FADA on 18th July 2006 at Federation House, New Delhi. L Mansingh, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India chaired the Discussion. Vinay Nevatia, Chairman, FICCI Auto Retail Task Force & Past President, FADA; Vivek Bharati, Advisor, FICCI (National Policy, Programmes & Projects); Rakesh Jain, Past President, FADA & MD, Gautam Automobiles Pvt Ltd; Ravi Bhatia, General Manager, Marketing & Sales Support, Maruti Udyog Ltd; and Sachin Khandelwal, General Manager & Head of Vehicle Finance Business, ICICI Bank Ltd, were the Panelists. The objective of this interaction was to highlight the important role being played by retail automobile trade in the national economy in terms of its contribution to GDP, revenues of the Central & State exchequers, employment generation, etc., and thereby secure its rightful place and recognition as a key segment in the Retail Sector that is getting organized in a big way with the advent of major players on the scene. In view of the fact that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is the nodal Ministry entrusted with the task of development and regulation of retail sector, the discussion assumed an added importance. After a welcome address by Vinay Nevatia, a presentation was made by Rakesh Jain on behalf of the Auto Retail Task Force, which highlighted the facts & figures of the Auto Retail Trade. The presentation also touched on the issues of concern to retail automobile trade, e.g., Variation in road tax and vehicle registration procedures from State to State; Non-uniformity & high incidence of VAT on motor vehicles, particularly on sale of used vehicles; absence of provision for automobile dealerships with 3-S facility in town planning and the need for creation of auto zones/clusters in the land planning and development of major cities; confusion & ambiguity in the provisions of service tax and FBT giving rise to disputes and litigation; and inadequate road infrastructure and parking facilities within the cities impeding growth. The discussion ended on a successful note with the Secretary asking the FICCI-Auto Retail Task Force to submit its recommendations for the development of the Auto Retail Sector. The interactive session was very well attended by people drawn from the auto industry, trade, banks, financial institutions and the media. The panel discussion received good media coverage. |
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