India Inc fends off job quota

The ministry of social justice and empowerment today released a joint statement signed by heads of industry that promises more "facilities" to the disadvantaged but makes no promises of job reservation in the private sector for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Nevertheless, the minister, Meira Kumar, called it a "momentous" breakthrough in the dialogue on the issue that figures in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP).

The joint statement, which has been signed by 22 industry captains, categorically states, "We are reassured to learn from the government that it has no intention of resorting to legislative action to impose a statutory obligation of reservations on the industry."

It promises more scholarships, facilities in company-run private schools, partnerships with government schools and in-house vocational training. It proposes to run all these programmes not directly, but through non-governmental organisations and self-help groups.

Talking to the media after the release of the statement, Kumar said, "It is my responsibility to implement the NCMP in letter and spirit. I see no contradiction in what the joint statement says (and what was required)."

A covering letter from industrialist Ratan Tata to the minister was also released that, Kumar said, indicated that this was merely the "first step" and that more decisions would follow.

However, Tata's letter, while being apologetic about having taken more than eight months to "have a group of like-minded business persons issue a statement endorsing the government's commitment ..." does not promise to reserve jobs for the underprivileged.

Meira said a group of ministers working on the issue had just concluded a series of fruitful interactions with various chambers of industry.

The statement has been signed by the likes of Anu Agha, Rahul Bajaj, Kumaramangalam Birla and NR Narayana Murthy. Tata's letter also mentions that the CII had agreed to be the agency which would give shape to the intentions delineated in the statement.

It is significant that the government has maintained that the NCMP does not promise job quota in the private sector but calls for a dialogue on the issue.