Cong for quota in pvt sector

The Congress has joined the Left parties and the Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) to demand reservation for weaker sections in the private sector, even as a group of ministers set up to look into the issue is still seized with the matter.

In its economic resolution adopted at the party's Hyderabad plenary session, the Congress urged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to initiate a national debate on the role of the private sector in "affirmative action programmes" to fulfill the aspirations of the youth belonging to the weaker sections of the society.

Stating that such a role must be proactive and consistent with the imperatives of global competitiveness, the party said the Manmohan Singh government's policies must be tailored to give an incentive for affirmative action.

The Congress "calls upon the government to evolve legislative and administrative support for implementation of policy on affirmative action for the weaker sections, in the private sector also."

Asked if the "affirmative action" means reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs in the private sector, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said last Sunday that it meant many things including reservation. A team of industrialists had earlier proposed to the UPA government that they were willing to promote the interests of weaker sections, but it should be voluntary.

Stressing the party's commitment to "social justice", CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury referred to reservation in private sector as a "big issue".

The party has been planning to launch a nationwide programme to press for legislative measures to enforce reservation for weaker sections in the private sector, according to party sources.

LJP leader and Union Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had threatened last week that his party would launch a countrywide agitation if reservation were not provided in the private sector.

Although the UPA government is believed to be against any mandatory reservation policy in the private sector, it may find it difficult to resist mounting political pressure from ruling parties and allies.