Working in ISMA (Indian Sugar Mills Association) can be challenging and unique compared to other industries. With various regulations and policies in place, ensuring compliance can be a daunting task. However, Bharati Balaji, Director-Legal & Compliance at ISMA, rises to the challenge. With her expertise and experience, she ensures that the association and its members meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Her strategic thinking ability to navigate complex compliance issues and keep up with ever-changing regulations sets her apart in her role as a Director-Legal.

She is also a Co-Promoter along with her husband in their own venture ‘GRADE1TO6’ a website of Resources and worksheets for CBSC, NCERT, PYP (IB) & many other International Curricula schools.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur, Bharati brings a unique perspective to the role, making sure that compliance is at the forefront of all business activities:

Take us through your professional journey so far.

For over two decades, I have honed my skills as a corporate lawyer, specializing in strategic solutions that combine my legal expertise with a keen business sense. I started my professional career by practicing in Supreme Court from the chambers of Adv P.S Narasimha, the current sitting judge of the Supreme Court where I acquired experience in research skills, drafting skills along with learning the court craft. I also assisted a senior counsel at Delhi High Court for a brief period of time.

My corporate experience started in the year 2004 when I joined ‘The Times of India Group’ handling all legal matters related to the media Group pertaining to litigation, drafting, and advising to conduct research related to media laws. After serving for 4+ years in Time of India, I joined Unitedlex as the project manager for ‘Microsoft’ in the ‘Contract, Sourcing & Negotiation’ deptartment. This is where I had the opportunity to interact with leaders across the world, and stakeholders for negotiations of contracts, handling global meetings, agendas & executing tasks within the turnaround time, meeting deliverables, and team management skills.

From the year 2012 to the present, I am with Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the apex body of sugar mills in India. Today, my focus is on the sugar industry and the evolving new areas including green ethanol, green power, policies, and regulatory changes envisioned. As a legal expert and strategist, I anticipate challenges and work proactively to protect my industry and its members to the best of my abilities. I am constantly seeking solutions to comply with regulations while minimizing the impact on members.

Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Director of Legal & Compliance at your Organization.

When I started my stint in ISMA, my work revolved around policies for sugar & sugarcane & cut to the present scenario where ISMA besides being the 2nd largest producer of sugar, has become the energy hub (providing 20 percent of the Country’s fuel requirements & going forward aiming for 100 percent), green energy power producers and much more. Thus, the work I handle becomes more challenging over the years considering the evolution of the industry from a fragmented space into a more corporatized and structured industry contributing towards climate change solutions, nation builder, and Bio-energy space.

In my current role, I am responsible for providing legal & regulatory inputs to members on various industry-pertaining Acts, Government policies, regulatory compliances & handle corporate governance issues. I also represent my industry in various courts, including the Supreme Court, High Court, NCLAT, CERC, and more, by developing strategies and coordinating with external & senior counsels. Furthermore, one of my most crucial roles is coordinating with various Government Ministries such as Food Ministry, Health, MoP, and Commerce Ministry for industry-compatible policies and to be in alignment with WTO trade policies and with bodies like FSSAI, CPCB, and more.

"As a legal expert & strategist, i anticipate challenges & work proactively to protect my industry & the members of ISMA"

What are the most critical challenges you face in your current role, and how do you overcome them? Industry Trade Associations play important roles in promoting trade laws, providing networking opportunities among competitors, providing a voice for the industry when it comes to regulations and new legislations, and providing tools such as best practices for the industry. All these challenges though seem daunting provide an opportunity to evolve & provide a better solution to the industry and the nation. I endeavor to stay ahead of the curve by reacting quickly to new developments on the legal and compliance front by planning and execution.

What would be the key skills you acquired during your tenure?

Working as an in-house counsel enables me to appreciate the legal side of the issues and business realities and offer practical solutions to complex problems. So, I can say with conviction that the USP, which I bring to the table, is an approach to the matter at hand that is business-friendly and at the same time legally sound. Also, my years of experience as an in-house lawyer enable me to explain real legal concerns to my members and guide them in making decisions.

Drawing from your experience, what advice would you give to aspiring lawyers? Nothing and nothing can stop oneself but oneself. There is no easy way and no substitute for hard work, it may take some time but eventually, results will start showing.

Bharati Balaji, Director-Legal & Compliance, Indian Sugar Mills Association

After completing her B.Com and LLB, Bharati Balaji began her practice as Intern and then Litigation Lawyer at the Supreme Court of India, under the guidance of Senior Counsel P.S. Narasimha. Bharati, has worked with various corporate houses and has specialized in corporate law, litigation, policy making, and regulatory compliance. Currently, she serves as the Director-Legal & Compliance at the Indian Sugar Mills Association.