The Forum of Free Enterprise was a non-political organization founded in 1956 by A.D Shroff and was established to educate public opinion in India on free enterprise and a democratic way of life. The Forum published booklets to further its objects. The following booklet titled, “State Trading” was published in 1958 and was authored by many liberal leaders. A.D Shroff in the article titled, “State trading and its implications,” emphasized the incursion of State trading into the flow of trade. He further highlighted the influx of state trading as evidential in an attempt for destroying democracy. And stressed the idea of advocating free enterprise before the public.
N. Dandekar in the article, “Limits and limitations of state trading,” highlighted that no state activity should encroach upon the fundamental rights as it leads to the destruction of the constitutional foundation. He further emphasized the limitations of state trading as ranging from lack of autonomy, increase in internal trading and financial monopoly. S.C Bose in the article, “State trading in mineral, ores,” focused on disallowance under the economic and constitutional grounds for the operation of state trading. And further questioned if monopoly was possible under the constitution. Muraji Vaidya in the article, “State Trading and democracy,” highlighted the advent of state trading holding a combination of government power with an added advantage in pursuance with the then socialistic pattern of the society. The author contrasted the position of trade with communist countries. Lastly, he focused on the pattern of economic activities as a harmful ordeal to the stand of parliamentary democracy. D.B Futnani in the article, “State trading in steel,” focused on the political indulgence of Iron and Steel trading. Lastly, the author questioned the denial of the right of work in India despite the fact, State was taking away most of the profits.