Nasscom
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The organisation
Biased towards its bigger members?/ 2019
D Govardan, May 4, 2019: The Times of India
Resentment is building within the $180-billion Indian software industry’s representative body Nasscom after last month’s biennial elections to its executive council (EC) — the apex decision-making body of trade body saw more than half the industry going unrepresented. Adding credence to the favouratism or bias towards the Big Boys of the trade, 80% of those in the outgoing council were re-elected with a strong representation from MNC biggies, leaving products and SMEs out, among others.
Nasscom is now learnt to be working to add seven more EC members, ostensibly to assuage the ruffled feathers.
MNCs, including Intel, IBM, Accenture, WNS and even Amazon (Web Services), a new entrant, have got a dominant presence in the EC. Nasscom members allege that weightage of votes based on revenue and employment generated was unfair to the large section of trade, including fledgling businesses and product companies.
“The dominant presence of MNCs along with Indian biggies — TCS, Infosys and Wipro in the EC — has made Nasscom a Big Boys Club. That perception should change, since the present representation does not reflect the expanded offerings of the industry, which has moved much beyond services,” a Nasscom member said. “They had an opportunity for course correction and broad-base the representation to the EC, which they have not done,” the member added.
“Nasscom was founded to promote homegrown companies. Had companies like Microsoft been part of the founding team, would Indian IT industry have achieved such a stupendous growth as it has done over the last two decades?” another member asked. “There are emerging product companies like Zoho that are changing the dynamics of the industry. But, they go unrepresented.” According to a cross section of members, of the 18 elected to EC, close to 75% represent MNCs, while representation of Indian companies has shrunk significantly. They ask if Nasscom is really inclusive?
