Learn from Tatas to set benchmark in business ethics: CII chief

Bangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) Asking the corporate world to provide voice for the common people who had no say in the market place, CII President R Seshasayee today called upon the corporates to take a leaf out of J R D Tata's life to set a benchmark for values and ethics that had to be followed in business.

Delivering his address at the CII annual Regional Meeting and conference on 'Economic Growth - Values and Ethics as Drivers' here, he said that though no one could be denied a chance of making profit in the business place, it was the duty of the Indian corporate world to lend voice to the deprived and discharge Corporate Social Responsibility to the best of their ability.

''We cannot measure the level of values and ethics that has to be adhered to by the corporate world. No certificates are given for those among us who excel in aiding the society. But business can grow only if one practices certain levels of values and ethics. For this, father of Indian industry Jamshedji Tata and the generations that have followed him in his business empire are the best benchmark that we can follow,'' he said.

Delivering the inaugural address, Director of Tata Sons Jamshed J Irani said values and ethics should be an integral part of the corporate culture. ''Value is the beagle that drives you out of trouble.'' Agreeing that creation of wealth by the corporates was necessary to discharge corporate social responsibility, he said ''the corporate world is entitled to earn wealth. Then comes the question of what you do with the profits you have earned. We should give it back to the people. We, in the 130-year-old Tata's, have done this and follow the same values even today. Temptation of making profits should not hold back the corporates from discharging their social responsibilities.'' Stating that there were different sets of values for different people, Dr Irani said each one must decide for oneself to what level he could help the society discharge his or her responsibility.

Values in business were permanent and no body could change it.

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