Delhi: The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has demanded that the government introduce quotas for OBCs In private sector. The panel argued that the OBC share in public sector had remained around 10% after 20 years of Mandal report and jobs were shrinking in government bodies. At the same time, it said the report which introduced backward quotas In central jobs talked about both the private and the public sector. The NCBC has asked the department of personnel and 1raxung (DoPT) to draft a legislation to stretch the frontiers of quota.
Shakeeluzzman Ansari, member, NCBC, said, “It is good that the PM talks of taking everybody along. He should accept the recommend at ion for reservation In private sector since It involves 75%, of the population — 52% OBCs and 25% SCsSTs. He should ensure that a bill is brought to realise the quota Provision.” However, experts say the recommendation may not mean much given the fate of earlier calls for private sector quota especially since UPA-l spent four years discussing SC/ST quota with the industry It was later left to the industry to draft a voluntary code of affirmative action.
In fact, the NCBC noted the UPA government’s failure to fulfil its promise while making the recommendation. Experts said any move to introduce quotas in private sector would be challenged in the courts on the ground that it compromised “merit” .
