Ficci sings the same tune

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has rejected the government's suggestion of job reservations in the private sector.

Instead, it has preferred a calibrated and long-term policy of educating and empowering disadvantaged groups right from the start.

Saying that extension of reservation to additional institutions and sectors will not address core issues, Ficci said instead of 'price-preference' to PSUs, preferential terms can be extended to SC, ST, OBC-owned enterprises in awarding of government licenses and contracts.

The report has recommended that premier institutions of higher learning be made self-financing and reallocation of savings made to support schemes for the secondary/pre-degree students from the disadvantaged sections.

It has suggested that the government consider providing comprehensive childhood development services to the children from the less priviledged communities right from the pre-kindergarden stage.