New Delhi: Rajya Sabha member from Meghalaya, Wansuk Syiem, on Tuesday asked the Union government to take effective steps for reservation of seats for Schedule Tribes and Schedule Caste candidates in the private sector too since they are getting lots of benefits but not doing anything for the deprived section of population.
Moving a Special Mention in the Upper House, Wansuk said the existing reservation policy in government jobs and public sector is not only shrinking but also inadequate.
“It is therefore legitimate to expect the private sector to open its doors for aspirants from SC/ST and OBC communities,” she said.
The government has been extending much support and incentives to the private sector in anticipation of its reciprocating these concessions not only through statutory contributions of part of its profit to the exchequer, Wansuk said. Hence, this huge sector should come out and provide reservation for SC/ST and OBCs in jobs, she argued.
There was frequent demand in Parliament to introduce a Bill for reservation in private sector. It was argued that due to privatization and globalization, government jobs are shrinking, and outsourcing and contract system are leading to further marginalization of SCs and STs.
Wansuk argued that the reservation policy both in education and jobs which is continuing since Independence has immensely helped the under-developed communities.
Incidentally, Wansuk’s demand came during the special sitting being held on the first two days of nearly a month-long winter session of Parliament to mark adoption of the Constitution and commemorate its architect B.R. Ambedkar, himself an architect of upliftment of the downtrodden class of the society.
