The government is pushing investment away from the country and forcing Indian companies to look to other emerging markets for growth, Ratan Tata said.

Ratan Tata, the outgoing head of a huge conglomerate whose business ranges from salt to software, accused the government of lacking coherence in its policies and of failing to address industries' complaints about bureaucracy.

Speaking on the topic, he said, "Different agencies in the government have almost contradictory interpretations of the law . These are things which, by and large, would drive investors away in most countries."

Mr. Tata's downbeat comments about the government emerged during an interview published ahead of his retirement as Tata Group's chairman later this month.

He stressed that if the Indian industry had received the government's support and encouragement, then India could be able to compete with China.

He said most investors were reluctant to invest in India because various clearances for major projects by ministries consume the best part of a decade.

Mr. Tata will step down on 28th of December, when he turns 75.