Letter From Sirdar P S Sodhbans

Summary

This two-page letter, dated 1 July 1959 and signed by Sirdar P. S. Sodhbans as Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Chamber of Commerce, acknowledges the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s plans for an All-India Businessmen’s Convention, a seminar on planning, and an Afro-Asian Economic Conference. Sodhbans urges the Federation to reconsider its approach to government, arguing that repeated representations have produced no substantial results while the commercial and industrial community’s interests remain insufficiently protected. He presents the government’s commitment to a “Socialist Pattern of Society” as indifferent or hostile to private industry and calls for determined action rather than diplomacy.

The letter defends the economic contribution of the commercial community, contrasting its financial support for the freedom struggle and Congress with what Sodhbans describes as the expansion of an inefficient public sector. It invokes Ramaswamy Mudaliar’s criticism of government treatment of the Federation and Clement Johnson’s account of the influence of American chambers of commerce and the absence of nationalization in the United States. Sodhbans further claims that the First Plan failed to increase food production, that living and labour costs had risen, and that Indian manufacturers consequently could not compete in foreign markets. He asks the Federation’s executive to use its “iron will” to curb current government tactics and seek a review of government policies.

Key points

• The letter supports the Federation’s proposed business convention, planning seminar, and Afro-Asian Economic Conference.
• It argues that government has disregarded strong representations from the commercial and industrial community.
• It portrays the Socialist Pattern of Society as damaging to private enterprise and the wider economy.
• It emphasizes the commercial community’s past financial support for the freedom struggle and Congress.
• It criticizes the First Plan for failing to produce sufficient food and for contributing to higher living and labour costs.
• It argues that increased costs have weakened Indian manufacturers’ ability to compete in foreign markets.
• It calls on the Federation to adopt a more forceful strategy and press for a review of government policies.